Replicable Practices

• Professional learning for staff is developed by a survey of staff needs. In addition, all staff were trained in communicating clear learning goals to students and including students in the metacognitive process of analyzing goals resulting in a school wide emphasis on literacy and critical thinking.

• School climate and character education are addressed through a comprehensive program including Suzanne Summits, a day-long team building events for each grade level; Blue and White Tea, focusing on etiquette and social graces; Pillar Breakfast; Pals/Plus Programs of peer counseling and advisement; and “Palamies,” 8th grade students serving as “pals” to 6th grade students.

• Interventions and enrichments are built into the schedule including advanced classes in ELA and math, as well as support classes such as a two hour block of ELA, special education services, homework support, and EL intervention classes that concentrate on speaking, reading, and writing.

• An array of academic clubs are offered after school such as robotics, MathCounts, debate club, Science Oympiad and civic bridge which challenge and motivate students in the STEAM areas.

• In the technology enrichment program students create audio-visual presentations, use math to program robots, create objects on 3D printers, learn to write code, and create animation presentations.

• Staff work collaboratively to create pacing guides, common assessments, benchmark exams, common rubrics, and performance-based assessments which are analyzed in PLCs during release time and common prep periods.

• Staff works to develop alliances with families through parent advisory groups, multiple on-line resources for parents, focused parent nights, and a YouTube channel hosted by the art teacher to extend art lessons and creative ideas to students and families at home.