• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Plan, do, study, act is the philosophy behind our climate and culture for continual improvement. All planning is made according to established measurable goals, activities and programming are delivered with focus, review and study of the results is systematized through weekly professional learning communities as well as a quarterly quality review process. As a result of assessing performance, curriculum and professional development are modified and the plan, do, study, act process repeats.

Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.

Plan, do, study, act is the philosophy behind our climate and culture for continual improvement. All planning is made according to established measurable goals, activities and programming are delivered with focus, review and study of the results is systemized through weekly professional learning communities as well as a quarterly quality review process. As a result of assessing performance, curriculum and professional development are modified and the plan, do, study, act process repeats.

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

For Conrady Junior High School and the North Palos School District, the most important factor isn't a single program or intervention, but is the systematic approach in aligning goals, initiatives, programs, establishment of teams, professional collaboration and development, as well as data analysis that all operates according to the core values of the district.

Explain how Title I funds are used to support your improvement efforts.

Title I funds help to employ the school's reading specialists, parent events, supplies and equipment, professional development, and instructional resources.

Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.

Professional development for teachers happens on campus during the school day. Quality education consultants are hired to meet with all teachers within a specific department, including any collaborating special education or English language learning staff to ensure the same message, common language, and training for all. Teachers are subbed out on the first day for group training and overview. Subsequent days entail the consultant, school administration, and instructional coaches observing teachers in their own classrooms. Following classroom observations, professional debriefings occur and growth goals are then established with teachers. School administration and instructional coaches continue follow-up on implementation. This professional development cycle is then repeated after a period of time with the consultant returning and measuring improvement as well as establishing the next steps until the specific teaching practice becomes the norm.

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

Data is used to identify strength and weaknesses in curriculum and teaching practice, for scheduling students into enrichment and intervention programs, and to monitor the degree of success in accomplishing established goals. Decisions of curriculum changes, re-teaching of concepts, professional development trainings, purchasing of resource materials, and staffing are all made as a result of data analysis.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2014

• Grades: 6 - 8
  School Setting: suburban
  Town Population: 14,000
  Student Enrollment: 949
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 7%
  White/Caucasian: 72%
  Hispanic: 16%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1.5%
  Asian: 1.5%
  Native American: 1%
  Other: 1%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14.5
  % Reduced Lunch: 59%
  % ELL Learners: 6%
  Founded: 1965
• PRINCIPAL:
  Andy Anderson
• CONTACT:
  7950 W. 97th Street
  Hickory Hills, IL 60457
  708-233-4505
  aanderson@npd117.net