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We deem our character building program called Knightly Vision sponsored by the local Rotary Club the most successful activity that strengthens the ties to our community. This program inspires all students to strive to be the best that they can be and to reach out to their own community in service projects. It rewards modern day knights, recognizing students with outstanding character no matter their academic or economic circumstances.

Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.

Atlanta Elementary School seeks input from the campus site-based decision making (SBDM) committee which consists of a diverse group of teachers, parents, community, and business members.
Our volunteer parent group, STAR, is led by parents to help our students and staff by providing recognition and support for programs such as the mobile dentist, teacher appreciation week, College and Career fairs, reading buddies and the Junior Master Gardner club to name a few.
Student driven presentations at academic nights, performances, and presentations draw large crowds and family involvement.

Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen the ties to your community.

We have many activities that strengthen the ties to our community, for example Read Across Atlanta literacy event, our Shadow Local Business Program, the Patriot Day and Veteran’s Day assemblies, and our College and Career Fair. However, we deem our character building program called Knightly Vision sponsored by the local Rotary Club the most successful activity that strengthens the ties to our community. This program inspires all students to strive to be the best that they can be and to reach out to their own community in service projects. It rewards modern day knights, recognizing students with outstanding character no matter their academic or economic circumstances. All students are eligible to become a modern day knight, squire, or page. Each award has specific criteria but all require exemplary character.

What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?

Our school’s top two goals for next year include:
1.Continue to meet the needs of our diverse student population by providing them the skills they need to navigate the ever changing global society they will inherit.
2. Continue to produce exemplary student success by increasing rigor in instruction while building citizens of integrity.

What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?

Empowerment. I am well known for my ability to empower those around me so that each and every staff member feels a part of a team. Every staff member from the office staff to the teachers, from the custodial staff to the paraprofessionals, has a skill, a talent or an ability to contribute to the success of the school. Every staff member plays a role in an overall, well-rounded education of each and every child, no matter the child’s economic background or the child’s academic abilities. The synergy of the staff is the finger on the pulse of each student. Staff members seek to empower students by working together to share best practices and using data to tailor instruction to meet all students’ needs.

Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement.

The Response to Intervention (RtI) program our campus has developed has had a tremendous impact on our student achievement. Administrators, teachers, and interventionists attend regular instructional data meetings to provide input on individual student performance. Data meetings provide the team with a needs assessment to make instructional, as well as, social-emotional decisions for each student. Determinations are made/adjusted concerning the level of support needed for each individual student. Means of support include:
• Research based Tier 1 classroom curriculum
• Tier 2 and Tier 3 research based small group instruction
• One-on-one tutoring
• Before and after school small group tutoring
• Special Education services
• Inclusion
• 504 accommodations
• Mentoring for social-emotional needs

Identify the professional development activities you use to improve the teaching portion of the teaching and learning process.

Staff members attend professional development training on best practices and effective teaching strategies. Staff members participate in a professional book study each year. This year’s study, Rigor Made Easy by nationally known author and speaker Barbara Blackburn, includes training on increasing rigor in our instruction. This has been discussed in every staff meeting this year. Teachers participate in professional learning communities where they discuss follow-up strategies for implementing some of those practices.

Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.

Regularly scheduled data meetings provide the team with a needs assessment to make instructional, as well as, social-emotional decisions for each student. Determinations are made/adjusted concerning the level of support needed for each individual student. The data includes all academic assessments, universal testing results, previous history to provide trends in the data, and classroom performance. Personal relationships provide teachers and staff with insight into other factors that could be influencing performance.

Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.

Our school culture incorporates the "Love and Logic" philosophy to provide a respectful, safe and orderly learning environment. Changes made allow students to retain their dignity in all situations. Our character education programs including AES Bully Prevention Program, Rotary Club sponsored Knightly Character, 15 Days of Kindness, Rachael’s Challenge and Character Counts have instilled the values we expect in every part of our campus and community. Implementing the system of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports providing a uniformity of procedures has enhanced our student sucess focused school culture.

• Category 2

  Selected in 2012

• Grades: 3 - 5
  School Setting: rural
  Town Population: 5,633
  Student Enrollment: 365
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 35%
  White/Caucasian: 56%
  Hispanic: 7%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 1%
  Native American: 1%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:19
  % Reduced Lunch: 61%
  % ELL Learners: 4%
  Founded: 1875
• PRINCIPAL:
  Dianne Whatley
• CONTACT:
  902 ABC Lane
  Atlanta, TX 75551
  903-796-7164
  dwhatley@atlisd.net