• Category 1

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 36,889
    Student Enrollment: 472
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 40.3%
    White/Caucasian: 9.6%
    Hispanic: 39%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 5.8%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 5.3%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:25
    % Reduced Lunch: 77.1%
    % ELL Learners: 33.5%
    Founded: 1969
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Pamela McCloud
  • CONTACT:
    4780 Hugh Howell Road
    Tucker, GA 30084
    678-874-3602
    Pamela_McCloud@dekalbschoolsga.org
Smoke Rise Elementary School
Tucker, GA
Students take ownership of their own learning and mastering of learning goals."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Smoke Rise Elementary School has made exceptional progress in academic growth and achievement over the past four years in each subject area on the Georgia Milestones End of Grade Assessment from 2015–2019. The content mastery increases are as follows:

• ELA: 31% increase from 2015 (47%) to 2019 (78%)
• Math: 31.51% increase from 2015 (39%) to 2019 (70.51%)
• Science: 49.02% increase from 2015 (36.7%) to 2019 (85.72%)
• Social Studies: 36.9% increase from 2015 (38.5%) to 2019 (75.4%)

Accordingly, Smoke Rise Elementary School’s College and Career Ready Performance Index accountability score increased from 58.2 in 2014 to 89.2 in 2019. In 2019, Smoke Rise Elementary School was recognized by the state of Georgia and awarded the distinction of being named both a “Title I Distinguished School” and “Beating the Odds School” for academic growth and achievement. We also achieved Cognia STEM certification in 2021. We are honored to be recognized as a 2021 National ESEA Distinguished School.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Smoke Rise Elementary School’s amazing teachers, staff, and administrators are dedicated, diligent, and committed to student growth and achievement. We are unified and guided by our mission and vision to provide students with high quality, data-driven, standards-based instruction with real world connections and experiences. We prioritize collaboration, professional learning, and data-based instructional planning for all staff. We harness the power of collaboration in the classroom through push-in and co-teaching to provide students with targeted small group instruction. Instruction is explicit and aligned to the rigor of the Georgia Standards of Excellence. Students take ownership of their own learning and track their progress towards mastering their learning goals. We engage parents and community members as active partners in student success. We have improved every year from 58.2 in 2014 to 89.2 in 2019, because we are intentional, consistent, and grateful.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
We strategically utilize ESEA funding to support student achievement, professional learning, and parent engagement. Specifically, we use Title I funds to hire a full-time teacher to deliver double dose literacy instruction; hire retired certified teachers as part-time tutors to implement data-driven interventions with students during the school day; fund substitutes so teachers can engage in monthly full-day professional learning sessions; and purchase supplemental instructional resources and software to provide standards-based activities, tutorials, and assessments for K-5 students in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies. We also utilize Title I funds to support parent engagement. We purchase academic resources for parents to use at home with their students. We also host study nights to help parents understand content standards and assessments.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
All teachers, paraprofessionals, the media specialist, counselors, and administrators participate in monthly full-day collaborative professional learning meetings to analyze current student data, dissect content standards, observe effective instructional strategies, and intentionally plan for standards-based and differentiated instruction aligned to the rigor of the Georgia Standards of Excellence. We examine instructional software and participate in learning walks to observe the implementation of clear learning targets, standards-based instruction, and student discourse using the language of the standard. During the learning walks, teams observe classrooms, engage in dialogue about instructional strategies compared to the expectation of the standards, and provide feedback on best practices and areas for improvement. Professional learning meetings are a safe and consistent space to improve our instructional practices.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Smoke Rise Elementary School’s cultural shift began in 2014 when Mrs. Pamela McCloud became the principal. In 2014, Smoke Rise Elementary School had a Georgia College and Career Readiness Performance Index score of 58.2%. That score did not represent the brilliance of our students, so Principal McCloud collaborated with the staff to align our beliefs with our instructional practices. Principal McCloud led the staff in revising the school’s mission and vision, thereby establishing a culture that prioritizes collaboration, growth, and shared accountability to ensure learning increases for ALL students. There is now an intentional focus on standards-based instruction, data-driven instructional planning, problem-based learning with real world connections, accountable talk, and professional learning. Students take ownership for their learning by setting goals and tracking their progress. We celebrate academic growth at every level as students become distinguished learners.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Active engagement by parents and the community have been critical to our school’s success. We have over forty committed community partners, which have added much value to the lives of the students and staff. Partners include businesses, churches, and community organizations. Community partners volunteer their time and resources to support the students at Smoke Rise Elementary School. In fact, over $15,000 was gifted to the school’s STEM program from various community partners to purchase equipment for aeroponics, aquaponics, robotics, 3D printers, gardening materials, and school supplies. Community partners and parents also share their expertise by collaborating with teachers and students. The Principal Advisory Council meets monthly to discuss the school’s improvement goals, parental and community engagement, and initiatives aligned with the school’s purpose. Parents and community stakeholders also participate in study nights targeting ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 36,889
    Student Enrollment: 472
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 40.3%
    White/Caucasian: 9.6%
    Hispanic: 39%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 5.8%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 5.3%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:25
    % Reduced Lunch: 77.1%
    % ELL Learners: 33.5%
    Founded: 1969
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Pamela McCloud
  • CONTACT:
    4780 Hugh Howell Road
    Tucker, GA 30084
    678-874-3602
    Pamela_McCloud@dekalbschoolsga.org