• Category 1

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 8
    Student Enrollment: 451
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 89%
    Hispanic: 0%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:7
    % Reduced Lunch: 56%
    % ELL Learners: 1%
    Founded: 1869
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Robert Stevenson
  • CONTACT:
    3 E. College Ave
    Frostburg, MD 21532
    301-689-3636
    robert.stevenson@acpsmd.org
Beall Elementary School
Frostburg, MD
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, and always do your best.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
Our most successful school activities that strengthen ties to the community involve our collaboration with Frostburg State University. We have monthly parent/family engagement activities to build parental capacity in literacy and math. Students from the education department at FSU assist with running learning stations including math games and reading activities. They also assist with reindeer games and STEM Night. Recently, students from the university have become mentors, specifically to male students, to help close a gender achievement gap. We enjoy ongoing support and collaboration from Frostburg State University.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
Every week, special educators meet with teaching teams at all grade levels to plan for the following week. They collaborate in planning and then co teach the lessons. Flexible grouping and rotation activities are implemented in grades kindergarten through grade 5. Students are making gains, and the school's collaborative planning and co teaching has become a model for other schools to demonstrate ways to meet the needs of both special education and regular education students.
Explain how ESEA federal funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
The main use of ESEA federal funds for Beall Elementary school has been technology. We have purchased laptops, carts, chromebooks, and web-based programs such as iReady Math and Vocabulary and Spelling City. Our third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms benefit from a 1 student to 1 device ratio. Every student has access to a device all day, every day! We are working to increase access to technology in the primary grades, as well. In addition, all three of our fourth grade classrooms implement Google Classroom which allows for students, teachers, and parents to interact at all times. They can collaborate on tasks where they can create tasks and communicate with each other any time.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
We consistently use data to inform student achievement and inform decison making. We begin looking at end of the year data from the previous year. This includes state testing results. Then, we look at ongoing data such as DIBELS data, Reading Inventory reports, KRA, Imagine Math reports, iReady reports weekly in grade level collaborative team meetings. ELA, Math specialists, and administrators facilitate planning to assist teachers in meeting the needs of all students.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Our school culture at Beall Elementary School revolves around academic achievement and building relationships. Over the past few years, we have trained staff to work together to achieve a goal using the book, The Four Agreements, as a guide. We follow these agreements: be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, and always do your best. We continue to build our team by planning for intentional fun and positive activities. For students, we have implemented restorative practices and assist students in righting their wrongs. Every student is connected to at least one adult in the building who will provide them a safe and supportive home base. When staff and students feel a sense of belonging and support, everyone achieves more.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 8
    Student Enrollment: 451
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 89%
    Hispanic: 0%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:7
    % Reduced Lunch: 56%
    % ELL Learners: 1%
    Founded: 1869
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Robert Stevenson
  • CONTACT:
    3 E. College Ave
    Frostburg, MD 21532
    301-689-3636
    robert.stevenson@acpsmd.org