Dry Creek Elementary School – Highly Functional

While the teacher and facilitator were both new to this school site they were appreciative of the work left by the previous staff related to the development of processes, and evidence to include the school in the district improvement process. Building on that work, the current staff is now involved in the rural school combined planning and implementation efforts. The school mission includes components aligned with the district vision. Students proudly shared the school mission and even the kindergarten children were aware of the “4L’s” (Listen, Learn, Lend, and Lead.) One student said. “It’s kind of like our goal—how we need to behave.” An even younger child agreed and added. “It’s easy to remember!” A sixth-grade student explained the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) process and the district and school goals. The profile of the school has been shared with the community. Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting announcements were posted at the door and parents reported that they had received invitations to the upcoming meeting and were aware that the PAC was their conduit to providing input on the school mission, decisions, and important issues to the rural community. District support has increased the identity of the rural schools as a group by increasing consistencies in curriculum and the services provided.

AdvnacED Quality Assurance Review Report

Moss Agate Elementary School – Highly Functional

Moss Agate stakeholders have established a mission for the school and work collaboratively to insure a high quality learning environment for all. Evidence found in artifact, interviews, and the school site visit demonstrated collaboration. Students embraced the mission of incorporating “Listening, Learning, Lending, and Leading.” These traits are integrated into the daily school routine. The parents and community are committed to the mission and support individualized education for their students to become life-long learners.

Rural schools have representation in the district on both the development and revision of the district vision to which the rural school mission is aligned. The students, staff, and parents all fully understood the vision of the district! The mission is posted throughout the school, located in the student handbook in the report to the community, and posted on the website. The annual report to the community demonstrates the alignment of the rural school mission to the district vision. Rural school academic goals are consistent with those established for other district schools. School stakeholders are excited to be part of the district family and feel included in the larger district processes, initiatives, and programs.

AdvnacED Quality Assurance Review Report

White Elementary School – Highly Functional

The school has developed and implemented a focused and well-articulated mission that clearly aligns with the district vision. The mission is prominently displayed throughout the school and provides a clear focus for the instructional staff and all stakeholders of the school as evidenced through stakeholder interviews and the artifacts provided. A complimentary set of expectations, “Listen, Learn, Lend, Lead” is emphasized by the instructional staff and modeled on a consistent basis by students. Additionally, the visiting team was presented documentation of student accountability for these expectations by school staff and leadership.

AdvnacED Quality Assurance Review Report

Shawnee Elementary School – Highly Functional

Teachers described how stakeholders were actively involved n creating the school mission statement and motto and how these align with the overall district vision and strategic plan. During the interviews, students described in their words, the mission or the motto: “Listen, Learn, Lend, and Lead.” Staff members noted how the mission statement and motto were developed among the five rural schools ‘facilities, students, and parents. Shawnee School’s mission statement and school improvement goals are aligned to the district’s vision statement. Implementation of strategies, including specific academic goals, identified in the school improvement plan and the district improvement plan, were observed being used in classrooms. Even students discussed how their achievement results fit within the school’s overall goal. One student pointed to a chart on the wall and stated “This one [poster] shows where we were last fall in reading, writing, and math and this one shows where we want all of us to be this spring.”

Shawnee School’s mission is communicated through multiple methods including the PAC meetings, newsletter, and within the school building. One of the rural schools’ teachers described how the shared mission statement is blended with PDSA as lessons are planned on a daily basis. These comments illustrated an alignment from mission and purpose to school improvement planning to day-to day instruction with students. Additionally, a poster with the PDSA in student friendly language was observed on a classroom wall. This indicates that the process is being extended not only to involve adults but also students. The school’s stakeholders recently revisited is mission statement and there is a defined process in place to revisit it again in the future. It is evident that the students teachers support staff and parents have developed a strong commitment towards improving all students’ academic achievement.

AdvnacED Quality Assurance Review Report

Walker Creek Elementary School – Highly Functional

Walker Creek Elementary School is new to the district for the 2011-2012 school year, serving students in grades K-8. As part of the academic rural community of schools, Walker Creek is committed to a shared purpose and direction to improve student learning through the district’s rural school mission, which is shared among the rural schools to work cooperatively with parents and community and target individualized education that “…empowers students to be respectful and responsible participants in their own life-long learning.”

As a new member of the rural schools community, walker Creek has clearly defined expectations for student learning. These expectations guide academic instruction and effectiveness are aligned with the mission with support from the teacher and parents, and have full support at the administrative level. Students model the mission with responsible behaviors and outward enthusiasm toward learning. The school is in the beginning states of developing a profile to identify the schools purpose and direction and to improve student academic achievement.

AdvnacED Quality Assurance Review Report