• Category 2

    Selected in 2017

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 1,500
    Student Enrollment: 367
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.3%
    White/Caucasian: 99.2%
    Hispanic: 0%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 80.1%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1956
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Angela Lester
  • CONTACT:
    11672 Phelps 632 Rd
    Phelps, KY 41553
    606-456-7716
    angie.lester@pike.kyschools.us
Phelps Elementary School
Phelps, KY
Everyone at Phelps Elementary School has the same end goal in mind, to see every child succeed, not only in the classroom, but in life.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
The most successful activity initiated at Phelps Elementary to strengthen community involvement has been opening our facility for community use/activities. Recently we entered into a collaborative agreement with Good Shepard Nursing Home to serve as an emergency placement site in the event of a disaster. In addition, the nursing home supplements our "Backpack Program" with monthly food donations. Through the "Backpack Program" we are able to send non-perishable food items home with identified students on Fridays, that otherwise may not have a food source on the weekends. Also, by sharing resources and facilities we've been able to get involved in other community partnerships, such as offering health fitness classes like Zumba, sponsored through the local health department.
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
To say there is a single factor responsible for the success of Phelps Elementary would be a lie. Rather, a combination of factors that include, high expectations, well-communicated goals, teamwork & fostering an environment of leaders, that all play into the overall success of the school. At PES we provide opportunities for every faculty member to serve in a leadership roles. In other words, we want to see effective leadership happening in every classroom. We believe that leadership doesn't just come from the principal's office, but should resonate from the classrooms through clear, concise goals. Through those established,clearly-communicated goals teachers establish an atmosphere of high expectations for themselves and the students. At PES educator effectiveness data is continuously analyzed & reflected upon to make adjustments to the current instructional practices. We have a strong belief that any goal is attainable & any child can learn, so through a formula of 1+1+1+1 = success.
Explain how Title I funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
At Phelps Elementary we believe that the most important factor in improving student achievement is the classroom teacher. In saying that, we use our Title I money to fund as many highly-qualified instructors as possible. In addition, funds are used for parent involvement activities, attendance incentives, school support programs and parent education workshops. Title I funds have allowed us to supplement our current school curriculum and to engage parents in the education of their child. Title I has also allowed us to offer programs, that previously would not have been possible, such as arts education to the students of PES. Through the arts program we've been able to increase parent/community partnerships and offer a more "well-rounded" education to the children of rural Appalachia.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
Data is an integral part of the day-to-day at Phelps Elementary. At the same time, we realize that data is not just reviewing a set of numbers and making instructional adjustments accordingly. While teachers and administration at PES participate in on-going analysis of student achievement data such as: universal screener data, state assessment data, formative & summative classroom data, teacher anectodal notes, daily performance in class and progress report information through professional learning communities and create plans to meet individual student's needs, we also strongly evaluate student behavior data, socio-economic background, attendance data and home demographics to ensure we are educating the "whole" child. Everyone at PES has the same end goal in mind, to see every child succeed, not only in the classroom, but in life.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Phelps Elementary is an elementary school nestled in the mountains of Eastern Ky. and serves as a central hub for the community. Phelps Elementary may not be a large school in numbers, but large in values and expectations. The belief at PES is that everyone plays a significant role in the overall success of the school. The school is built on a strong foundation of collaboration, teamwork, compassion, and ambition. At PES we focus on the students every hour of every day. PES culture is to say the least, demanding, but at the same time, caring and student-focused.We celebrate student/staff accomplishments, seek new-innovative learning opportunities and don't shy away from taking risk. Our mission statement says, "Leading Students to Achieve Excellence" and we are willing to go the extra mile to reach that highest point. We educate students individually, rather than teaching to the whole. At the same time,we evaluate our culture annually so we grow and improve into something even better.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2017

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 1,500
    Student Enrollment: 367
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.3%
    White/Caucasian: 99.2%
    Hispanic: 0%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 80.1%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1956
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Angela Lester
  • CONTACT:
    11672 Phelps 632 Rd
    Phelps, KY 41553
    606-456-7716
    angie.lester@pike.kyschools.us