• Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 14,239
    Student Enrollment: 375
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 0%
    Hispanic: 100%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 83.9%
    Founded: 2006
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Marina Leal
  • CONTACT:
    900 S McColl Road
    Hidalgo, TX 78557
    956-340-1650
    mleal@vviewisd.net
Valley View South Elementary School
Hidalgo, TX
It is this collaboration that leads to our school's success.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our school has all the facilities of a library, computer room, playground, gym, and more to ensure our students have it all at their disposal. But for our Valley View South teachers and staff, our school is more than simply an educational institution; it is also our second family, which makes our school successful. It starts with our fantastic leader, our principal, who has an open-door policy and is always there to support and assist all our excellent staff in any way possible. Our wonderful office staff fosters a positive, welcoming climate and maintains respectful, trusting, and caring relationships throughout the school community. Our teachers arrive early and often stay late without pay to collaborate with colleagues. This collaboration between our colleagues has built relationships among our teachers. It also encourages them to work as a team and to express opinions, allowing them to make decisions and making the educational process more effective for students and teachers. It is this collaboration that leads to our school's success.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The greatest contributing factor that promotes positive change in our school is the strong relationships among students, teachers, and staff. Principally, the strong connections our teachers have with their students. Our school's population is 100% Latino with Mexican heritage, and many of our teachers were once sitting at one of our students' desks. Valley View South Elementary teachers have the knowledge, training, and same cultural background to be able to meet all of our students' needs; Everyone is willing to put extra effort into promoting a positive culture in our school, whether to motivate our students or celebrate their successes and achievements. Parents are invited every morning to read with their children in the school's library. This promotes a lifelong love of reading while developing the child's cognitive development and preparing him/her for academic success. Other contributing factors in our school are the fine arts program, which consists of theatre, music, dance, and visual art we strongly believe the program helps students develop critical-thinking skills, and hands-on skills, improve self-esteem, and appreciate other cultures;
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funds additional instructional services to offer our students better options for educational improvement and provides remedial assistance to support student learning outside of school. ESEA funding has supported Valley View South Elementary’s
success by allowing our teachers to attend high-quality professional development, and purchase technology programs, and innovative learning resources.
Additionally, the funds provide for a community liaison to help with the family and community engagement program, as well as, implement a research-based response to
the intervention program.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Our teachers used the "Teach Like a Champion" professional development to improve their classroom teaching tactics and enhance what they already implemented in their instruction. One tactic that our teachers learned during this professional development was the "Turn and Talk" strategy; in this strategy, each student evaluates the topic or prompt on their own. Then, each student shares their thoughts with their partner and comes to a consensus. This strategy has helped our student improve their confidence and promote higher academic vocabulary. Our students learned to process new learning while engaging in meaningful conversations with classmates. Another helpful strategy our teachers acquired during this professional development was the "Circulate with a Purpose." Teachers see what students understand, where they struggle, and who needs additional support. This strategy has improved our teacher's reteaching methods. By using the "Circulate with a Purpose" strategy, the teachers can reteach the moment they see the need. With this phenomenal professional development, our teachers have enhanced classroom practices and procedures and prepared our students for college and career readiness.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Make adjustments as necessary to meet the needs of all students (covid, learning gaps, technological development)

Valley View South Elementary focuses on student learning in a positive, engaging, and inclusive environment. Although we have been through many cultural shifts in the past few years, we have adapted and thrived during these difficult times..In our school, everyone has a voice, and every job has value.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Valley View South Elementary prioritizes parental engagement as a cornerstone of academic, social, and emotional student development. Initiatives such as " Donuts with Dad", "Muffins with Moms", and "Grandparents Day' provide opportunities for families to connect while receiving essential information. Parental engagement is a catalyst for academic excellence, correlating with improved attendance, enhanced academic performance, and a positive attitude toward learning. Thus contributing to a student’s overall social and emotional well-being. Our library actively promotes parental engagement through shared reading sessions and literacy nights. The Parental Training Center aids in assisting through community aid meetings, PTO events, seasonal festivals, Noche Mexicanas, and Christmas programs, showcasing a dedication to a
collaborative educational community. Overall, our commitment to parental engagement is integral to its educational philosophy. The school aims to foster a synergistic relationship between both family and staff through diverse activities, contributing to the
collective growth and success of our educational community.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 14,239
    Student Enrollment: 375
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 0%
    Hispanic: 100%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 83.9%
    Founded: 2006
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Marina Leal
  • CONTACT:
    900 S McColl Road
    Hidalgo, TX 78557
    956-340-1650
    mleal@vviewisd.net