• Category 3

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 527
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 8.2%
    White/Caucasian: 7.6%
    Hispanic: 58.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 16%
    Asian: 6.6%
    Native American: 0.2%
    Other: 2.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 80%
    % ELL Learners: 59%
    Founded: 1953
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jason Finch
  • CONTACT:
    1380 Navajo St.
    Salt Lake City, UT 84104
    801-974-8315
    jason.finch@slcschools.org
Mountain View Elementary School
Salt Lake City, UT
Mountain View Elementary is a place where the learning, teaching, and every student matters."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Mountain View elementary is a place where the learning, teaching and every student matters. Our success is centered on this belief. We are surrounded by opportunities to make a difference. At Mountain View Elementary, 59% of our students are Multi-Language Learners. 57.4% of MLLs met or exceeded their growth goal on the 2020 WIDA compared to 46.6% of MLLs in 2019 and 26 students moved to proficiency. This was the most of any Salt Lake City School District school. We were recognized as a Utah Exemplary School by the Utah State Board of Education. Mountain View Elementary is a Spanish Dual Language School in the state of Utah. According to the most recent AAPPL assessment results, 96% of Mountain View's third grade DLI students were on- or above-level in Speaking. In fourth grade, 100% of Mountain View fourth grade students scored on or above-level in the Reading section and 98% in the Writing section. 100% of fifth grade students scored on or above-level in Speaking.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The success we are experiencing goes beyond the classroom walls. We recognize the “opportunity gaps” for our students. MVES teachers focus on Strong tier 1 instruction in English and Spanish with our DLI program. Teachers dedicate daily English Language Learning time with targeted learning opportunities based on individual student needs. Teachers are committed to stay current on best practices. Currently, all K-5 teachers are participating in LETRS training. This PD provides the skills teachers need to master the fundamentals of reading instruction.
Parental involvement and participation are vital at Mountain View. We work to ensure families are equipped to meet the unique needs of their children. During a recent meeting, one of our teachers trained parents and families in DYAD reading, a research-based reading strategy where a student and a parent share one text, sit side-by-side and read together. When families know how to support literacy at home, they have the confidence to do so.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding supports our school by lowering class sizes. Our average class size is 20 students per class. Likewise, through these funds we are able to maintain four classes at each grade level, 2 English Only and 2 Spanish Dual Immersion. ESEA funding is vital in supplying highly qualified paraprofessional support and certified teacher interventionists.

Additionally, ESEA funds our after-school English Language Development tutoring with our highly trained and skilled English Language Development Teacher.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
The past two years, teachers engaged in professional development opportunities for both lower and upper grade phonics work. This school year, our entire teaching staff is participating in LETRS. This intensive training is making a difference for student outcomes. A full-time literacy coach and part-time math and science coaches guide our PLC meetings to focus on these subjects where every grade level creates common formative assessments, analyzes data, and creates plans for intervention.

Teachers have also received training in teaching English Language Development content in their classrooms to their Multi-Language Learners.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
This intensive focus on phonics is proving to be a game changer for many of our students. For teachers, they are learning and growing in their professions, developing newfound skills, and modifying how they approach reading instruction.

As the pandemic continues, we are seeing more need for Social Emotional Learning support in the classroom. Through our school counselors and a weekly Healthy Living rotation class, students are developing skills in mindfulness, conflict resolution, kindness, etc.

Additionally, a weekly principal video message, called “The Eagle Eye Message” addresses current SEL needs through YouTube blog style videos focused on positive reinforcement, motivational videos, songs, and student highlights.

Another cultural shift is getting parents involved. By training parents on DYAD reading to support literacy in the home they can help their children become better readers and transfer these skills as volunteers in our classrooms.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Weekly parent meetings provides a consistent time for parents to become partners in education. By ensuring meaningful agendas and worthwhile activities, parents are invested, motivated, and regularly participate which strengthens our school community and fosters student growth.
Community partnerships have also contributed to our success. After-school programs include Mountain View Virtuosos, where students learn how to play the Violin provided by Gifted Music School, Girls on the Run, the English Language Lab, the CLC Learning Lab, and individual tutoring from classroom teachers. These opportunities provide students with learning well into the afternoon and evening. We have also partnered with the Utah Food Bank to provide dinner each day.
Additional academic support and partnerships provide unique experiences in the art of dance, bringing reading tutors and Social Workers who strive to address academic and SEL needs as well as outreach to support families.
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 527
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 8.2%
    White/Caucasian: 7.6%
    Hispanic: 58.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 16%
    Asian: 6.6%
    Native American: 0.2%
    Other: 2.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 80%
    % ELL Learners: 59%
    Founded: 1953
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jason Finch
  • CONTACT:
    1380 Navajo St.
    Salt Lake City, UT 84104
    801-974-8315
    jason.finch@slcschools.org