• Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 4
    Student Enrollment: 514
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 11.3%
    White/Caucasian: 79.6%
    Hispanic: 2.1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.2%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 6.8%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 73.6%
    % ELL Learners: 0.2%
    Founded: 1911
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Brigett Stewart
  • CONTACT:
    504 West Hood Street
    Piedmont, AL 36272
    256-447-7483
    bstewart@pcsboe.us
Piedmont Elementary School
Piedmont, AL
"We are a T.E.A.M. "Together Everyone Achieves More!"
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Piedmont Elementary School's foundation is built on its strong vision, mission, and beliefs to ensure a quality education for all students. We are a T.E.A.M. "Together Everyone Achieves More!" and we live this out in all that we do each day to promote excellence. We invest in our teachers and their growth as professionals. Almost fifty percent of our faculty are National Board Certified Teachers. Our belief in all students reaching their full potential supersedes inequities such as high poverty. Our school was named a "High Flyer" school which recognizes districts with high achievement while also being high poverty. We place an emphasis on meeting students where they are and targeting the teaching to maximize student learning. Through such things as district wide vertical alignment and monthly data days, we have been able to identify our needs and develop instructional approaches to increase student learning and achievement. We were named as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
At Piedmont Elementary School, we believe in a balanced approach to learning which includes an instructional design that features both daily technology integration and hands-on learning experiences. One thing that separates us from most is our district wide focus on personalized learning. Personalized instruction is delivered by a means of combining traditional methods with technology programs and devices to meet each student's needs, abilities, and interests. We embrace the knowledge that every student is unique and we use our technology devices to provide individualized learning paths (ILP) to close the gaps for those who are struggling and to provide challenging content for those students ready for a faster pace. Students are able to progress through ILPs at a rate that is suitable to their individual needs. This allows more opportunities for exploration in learning, targeted instruction, and mastery of standards. Our students are confident and empowered learners.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funds help to support key initiatives and programs that promote student success such as additional personnel, supplies and resources, and parent engagement. The most instrumental and crucial area of support through ESEA funds is the ability to hire additional paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals serve as an integral part of our school day and are able to provide much needed support to classroom teachers. These funds are a critical component of our success and ability to meet the needs of all of our students and school.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Each month, our school hosts a "Data Day" which is built into the district calendar each year. The monthly data days provide coveted time for teachers to delve into student data and collaborate across grade levels and subject areas. Data Days are led and facilitated by the principal which relays the importance of the principal’s role as an instructional leader of the school.

Our teachers are trained in numerous educationally advanced techniques to improve their instructional approaches. They have been trained in Orton-Gillingham(OG) literacy strategies, as well as, all K-3 teachers have engaged in a two year cohort and have been certified in the science of reading called, Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). Additionally, our teachers have been trained in "Numbers" which is a math professional learning opportunity provided by our regional inservice center and the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI).
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
It is our belief that a positive school climate is critical for student success, learning, and achievement. A professional culture is created through the development of a building leadership team with representatives from all areas, as well as, parent and community stakeholders, through which the principal is able to gain valuable feedback to assist in decision making and to collaborate to solve problems. These team members are empowered to lead their peers and present strategies and ideas to propel student success. The principal uses culture and climate surveys as a way to receive candid feedback on what is working and what is not. Feedback from surveys is used to facilitate conversations with teachers and staff to make meaningful changes to improve our school. This establishes a shared vision and belief that when people feel heard and their concerns are validated, they are more dedicated to the team's mission. Staff morale and recognition for achievement are both high priorities.

6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Involving parent and community stakeholders is a critical component of our school’s mission and success. We continually strive to strengthen community partnerships and engagement by finding creative ways to partner. We host events called, "Coffee and Conversations" where both parents and community members are able to ask questions, learn about programs in our school, find out ways to better support our school, and finally, visit classrooms to see learning in action. Another way we involve parents is by hosting "Parenting Days". On these days, parents are given the opportunity to discuss their child’s academic progress and social-emotional well being with teachers and school leaders. Parenting Days are offered each semester and have high attendance. Through these and other opportunities, parents and community members become partners and learn additional ways to support our school. These partnerships have a lasting impact on our students and our school's success.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 4
    Student Enrollment: 514
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 11.3%
    White/Caucasian: 79.6%
    Hispanic: 2.1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.2%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 6.8%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 73.6%
    % ELL Learners: 0.2%
    Founded: 1911
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Brigett Stewart
  • CONTACT:
    504 West Hood Street
    Piedmont, AL 36272
    256-447-7483
    bstewart@pcsboe.us