The Sunrise family combines order with nurture,
and standards with flexibility, to generate the perfect high performance
octane for their students.
Sunrise students
are totally immersed in the school's philosophy "Trustworthiness,
Truthfulness, Active Listening, No Put Downs and Personal Best."
These are the "Lifelong Guidelines" that sum up the expectations
for all students. It works because the parents share and reinforce
these values at home. Teachers believe that through this program,
"students become the role models of academic excellence."
The guidelines are part of the Integrated Thematic Instruction Model
which outlines developmentally appropriate curriculum for and between
grade levels, incorporating achievement goals. Intertwining academics
and "Lifelong Guidelines" with total stakeholder buy-in
drives this school's performance.
Results: Grade 4 FCAT Writing: 3.7, above
district and state; percentage of students scoring at level 3 or
above, Grade 3 Reading: 82%, Math: 86%; grade 4 Reading: 82%, Math
80%.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Establishing a relationship of respect and openness with parents,
enlisting them as full-fledged partners
- Communicating clear, consistent teacher expectations: flexibility,
allegiance to goals, and collaboration
- Retaining teachers (very little turnover/absence) by supporting
their needs and empowering their leadership
Volusia was the
first Charter District in the state. Financial flexibility came
with the Charter and also increased local responsibility to spend
wisely and well. The principal and staff prioritized their Integrated
Thematic Instruction plan and professional development for teachers
and parents. Funding came from the school budget and significant
parent support, including $200 for every teacher's instructional
goals. Programs in use are: Waterford Reading (a computerized self-monitoring
system), FCAT Explorer, No-Zone, Scholastic Reading Inventory, and
Saxon Math and Phonics. The school also funds an extended day program
for 180 students. All programs are linked to assessment and supported
by technology.
Results: School Grades: 2000: A; 2001: C;
2002: A.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Providing development opportunities for parents focused on elements
of the instructional programs
- Enhancing the curriculum by using real world situations and
experiences for greater retention
- Providing teachers with intensive training on the programs that
the school uses and techniques such as cognitive coaching, cooperative
learning, Parent-to-Kid and positive discipline
No detail is too small
to create an atmosphere conducive to learning and welcoming to parents
and partners. The school is immaculately maintained and even the
lighting has been modified, based on research, to suit young learners.
Sunrise has created a hub with high expectations for on-task, engaged
behavior and cooperative learning. The teachers also participate
in training in many "newly researched brain areas" to
better understand and individualize student instruction. The school
has a reputation of being "ahead of its time." Commitment
to the school's vision is the heart of the hub. Based on their vision
and goals, the principal and teachers continue to evaluate, re-evaluate
and improve their educational approach.
Results: First "Principal of the
Year" in Volusia; Blue Ribbon School
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Seeking resources, such as books for students, that directly
support student achievement
- Maintaining an open door policy that allows parent concerns
and bright ideas to come to the forefront
- Establishing a committee to research, seek and write grants
for more inclusive buy-in and better results
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