• Category 1

    Selected in 2012

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 51,319
    Student Enrollment: 261
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 14%
    White/Caucasian: 69%
    Hispanic: 7%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 8%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:19
    % Reduced Lunch: 53%
    % ELL Learners: 10%
    Founded: 1975
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Heidi Henningson
  • CONTACT:
    2912 Coffey Ave
    Bellevue, NE 68123
    402-898-0459
    hhenningson@paplv.org
Golden Hills Elementary School
Bellevue, NE
Over 94% of all of our students are directly involved in an after school organization. There is a strong sense of empowerment to include community values, service to others, children as resources and safety in the home and school.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen the ties to your community.
Over 95% of all of our students are directly involved in an after school activity which creates a sense of belonging. There is a strong feeling of empowerment to include community values, service to others, children as resources and safety in the home and school. These clubs include but are not limited to: Student Council, Boys and Girls Books Clubs, JAM Club, Art Club, Robotics, Walking Club, Fitness Club, Math Club, After school Tutoring, Math Olympiads, Film Club, Nature Rangers, Girls and Boys Running Clubs, Band, Select Choir, Writing Club, Computer Club, and Reach for Success Mentoring.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
We have a simple philosophy which is "Believe, Achieve, and Succeed!"
What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?
Our first goal is to increase the percentage of our students reading at or above the end of grade level guided reading expectations.

Our second goal is to increase the percentage of students that are proficient at or above our District Common Summative Assessments.
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
The single most important factor in the success of Golden Hills Elementary School is a positive school climate where all students know that they are accepted and cared for as an individual. Our staff knows each child and their family on a personal basis. From home visits, to mentoring, we believe that this is crucial in building a partnership in learning!
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and Classroom Goals are essential components of Golden Hills Elementary. Teachers meet in grade-level teams on a weekly basis to address student concerns, analyze student data, double score student assessments as well as develop learning plans. Knowledge gained from these discussions as well as careful analyzing student data drives their instruction. The Building Administrator, Literacy Facilitator, Title I /Reading Recovery Teacher, SLP and Special Education Staff all attend PLC’s to support student learning.

Classroom Goals are year-long SMART goals written by all staff based upon student data and building goals. These goals are monitored and shared within the grade level as well as communicated with students in “kid friendly” language. We have found that students who are actively involved in their own learning make significantly greater gains then students who are not.
Explain how Title I funds have supported your improvement efforts.
We have used Title I funds for the purchase of research based interventions to assist us in meeting the individual needs of students as well as closing the achievement gap for our at risk students. We have also used these funds to provide individual or small group tutoring for students in the areas of math or reading.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Golden Hills operates not as a school but as a large family. Each child is part of a larger family within the composition of the student population. We share our share strengths and weaknesses and embrace each other’s own unique assets! If a child or family has specific needs, we work to ensure that all of their needs are met within or outside of the classroom.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2012

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 51,319
    Student Enrollment: 261
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 14%
    White/Caucasian: 69%
    Hispanic: 7%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 8%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:19
    % Reduced Lunch: 53%
    % ELL Learners: 10%
    Founded: 1975
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Heidi Henningson
  • CONTACT:
    2912 Coffey Ave
    Bellevue, NE 68123
    402-898-0459
    hhenningson@paplv.org