• Category 1

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 8
    Student Enrollment: 321
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2.8%
    White/Caucasian: 95.3%
    Hispanic: 1.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0.3%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14.5
    % Reduced Lunch: 63.2%
    % ELL Learners: 0.3%
    Founded: 1960
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Kristina Thomas
  • CONTACT:
    900 Sublimity School Road
    London, KY 40744
    606-862-4692
    Kristina.thomas2@laurel.kyschools.us
Sublimity Elementary School
London, KY
We have a strong culture of rigor, compassion, and high expectations for every student, every day.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
In the current state of education it can be tempting to veer from the course of action and constantly try new initiatives, programs, products, etc. without ever really mastering any one thing. At Sublimity, we consciously try to maintain focus on our priorities and not get sidetracked. Our instructional focus surrounds high quality curriculum and instruction. All initiatives and supports we then attach support that core instruction. We believe in developing structures that work, and then implementing them with fidelity over a significant period of time. School change and improvement can take time, but we attack it by defining the course that works and then sticking to that path while eliminating as much distraction from the equation as possible.
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
Sublimity's success does not come from one single factor. Rather, the success of Sublimity Elementary lies in the fact that we do not waiver from our main goals. We research best practices very carefully to find what works, implement what is necessary with fidelity, and then stick to the plan with consistency. We plan professional development to assist us in our goals, we monitor our progress, and make changes only when needed. With our sights always set on our goals, we do not jump around from one program to another, hoping to possibly find success. Instead, we find success in sticking with what is working, reflecting on our practices, and then only tweaking what is not quite where we want it to be. This continual improvement model is what makes us successful.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
Outside of the phenomenal instruction our students receive in the classrooms, our best initiative is enrichment/remediation block. Students are assigned enrichment or intervention based on multiple sources’ data. Because our staff formatively assesses students daily, students may be assigned remediation as needed daily. If the formative assessment shows that a student is at mastery with a standard then the student will be assigned an enrichment class. Additionally, if a student is showing they need help with prerequisite skills or daily standards they will be scheduled remediation time during this enrichment block. Lastly, the best thing about our enrichment block is our content teachers are providing the remediation lessons. The teacher who provides the initial instruction is the same teacher that provides the content remediation.
Explain how ESEA federal funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
ESEA federal funds have been crucial to support the improvement efforts at Sublimity Elementary. One way we have utilized Title I funds this year is to provide an additional certified teacher to reduce classroom size. Certified tutors are also hired to help meet the needs of our students. This staffing allows our classroom levels to maintain a relatively universal number, as well as having the staff to provide intense small group instruction and support. Without the ESEA federal funds our most impactful initiatives would not be possible.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
Data disaggregation is the driving force at Sublimity. Every decision made is based on relevant data. We use multiple sources of data to improve student achievement and lead decision making. Formative assessment is monitored daily to establish the course direction for every class and is also used to establish the differentiation each student needs. Summative unit common assessments are used for this as well. Three times a year, a normed reference diagnostic assessment is given to students to determine if students are progressing, form small workshops, remediation and enrichment groups. Lastly, we use our state assessments to determine opportunities for growth and to ensure that current instructional programs are effective. All of these data sources are used to determine and inform decision making to improve student achievement.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Extraordinary community engagement, high expectations for academic achievement, and unique opportunities for students beyond the regular curriculum are hallmarks of our school. The creative approach to instruction and the warm and nurturing environment make Sublimity Elementary an exceptional place for staff and students. We have a strong culture of rigor, compassion, and high expectations for every student, every day. Our kids are loved and through that love our staff wants and expects our students to achieve at high levels. We know, an expectation of success is not enough. To achieve, our students need to be challenged and our instruction must be differentiated so that all students can have an opportunity to grow.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 8
    Student Enrollment: 321
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2.8%
    White/Caucasian: 95.3%
    Hispanic: 1.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0.3%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14.5
    % Reduced Lunch: 63.2%
    % ELL Learners: 0.3%
    Founded: 1960
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Kristina Thomas
  • CONTACT:
    900 Sublimity School Road
    London, KY 40744
    606-862-4692
    Kristina.thomas2@laurel.kyschools.us