The school has history, a tradition of care,
and a drive toward excellence that is reflected in the achievement
of all students and the school's presence in the community.
Built in 1912, it
is one of the oldest schools in the state. Today, they are busy
creating and sustaining new traditions. Late in the day, the bustling
school comes to a halt for "drop everything and read time."
Engaged, focused students pursue the chief focus: Reading. Standards
and consistency are "action verbs" that center this school.
They credit a universally adopted reading program "America's
Choice" that is District-adopted. It received high marks because
it focuses on performance standards. Components of the program include:
professional development, model classrooms, literacy coach, portfolios,
theme-based assessment for units, monthly reading goals and running
reading records. Consistency is further entrenched from data use
that influences curriculum design.
Results: 64% of Grade 4 students scored a
Level 3 or above on the FCAT Reading Test
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Focusing on what is counted (FCAT): practice and extra help
for struggling students and their parents
- Allocating the majority of budget and personnel resources towards
the instructional Reading focus
- Committing a half day, every other week for in-service for the
3rd, 4th and 5th grade teachers
All agreed that
the School District's superintendent models and inspires leadership
through the principals to the teachers. The school family mentioned
"Fryer's Flyers", "Jacksonville Reads" and "High
Five." These are all programs and activities that the Superintendent
has initiated and infused in schools to support the District's Reading
focus. Rather than a trickle-down effect, the schools are on board
as equal partners. All staff members are expected to be leaders
in their areas. The students are also part of this leadership chain.
They are taught to self-assess and analyze their own role against
high performance standards. This commonality in aim establishes
a culture that supports participation of all stakeholders in the
academic achievement of the students.
Results: School Grades: 2000: C; 2001: C;
2002: B.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Encouraging all parents, partners, teachers, staff and community
to read the same books as the students
- Committing to a larger vision/plan and contributing your individual
leadership and unique skills towards that effort
- Offering support programs: Scholastic Reading Inventory, Reader's/Writer's
Workshop, FCAT Prep
A legacy
of the former principal, the school has strong ties to the business
community and the community-at-large. The school personnel want
to be a strong presence in their community. The school enjoys a
strong partnership with local businesses, and a commitment to Community
in Schools (CIS). The school has partnerships with local houses
of worship. The results are: tutoring programs, a Saturday School
program, basketball and drama activities, and community outreach
that bond students with the community. The school also has the Partnership
to Advance School Success (PASS) model, which provides a topnotch
CEO to mentor the Principal, with an education coach, to infuse
sound business practices into school operations.
Results: 83% of Grade 5 students scored
a Level 3 or above on the FCAT Math Test
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Demonstrating and reflecting (staff speaks a total of 15 languages)
cultural and ethnic diversity
- Posting student work in the hallways with an explanation of
how that work meets and exceeds standards
- Sending daily communications home to parents and encouraging
frequent parent-teacher conferences
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