• Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 1,498
    Student Enrollment: 263
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 79%
    Hispanic: 15%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14
    % Reduced Lunch: 51%
    % ELL Learners: 7%
    Founded: 1969
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Mark Porter
  • CONTACT:
    801 18th Street
    Wisner, NE 68791
    402-529-6465
    mporter@igators.org
Wisner-Pilger Elementary School
Wisner, NE
Our school’s success is driven by the diligent pursuit of doing what is best for students.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our school’s success is driven by the diligent pursuit of doing what is best for students.
Wisner-Pilger Elementary students, teachers, and staff arrive at school each day prepared and eager to welcome our work. We believe all students can learn at high levels. Our teaching and learning process is driven by the implementation of a district-wide instructional model grounded in effective practices, the delivery of research-based core programs, and the measurement of student progress toward mastery of essential standards. Our school’s collaborative culture focuses on the analysis of student performance on common formative assessments followed by targeted intervention or enrichment of each student’s learning. We believe each day presents multiple opportunities for growth in our teaching and learning community.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Wisner-Pilger Elementary has been described as a forward-thinking, yet traditional building by those who know us best. We are traditional in the sense that we continue to value a strong work ethic among both staff and students. Our faculty and staff thrive in a structured environment where a focus on learning and student discipline are both priorities. Our teachers are also seen as progressive in the education field. Wisner-Pilger teachers are leaders among their peers, continually seeking opportunities to build capacity for professional growth from within. They have adopted a common language for evaluation, instruction, management, and planning.

Our teachers are utilizing the Professional Learning Community (PLC) process in a highly effective form. As part of the PLC process, Wisner-Pilger teachers have made intentional shifts in their thinking about the teaching and learning process. These shifts have greatly impacted our students’ success as measured by learning outcomes.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
Wiser-Pilger Schools has traditionally used ESEA funding to support differentiated learning opportunities for specific groups of students. Our school is able to provide students with additional specialized reading instruction and individualized learning pathways for English Learners because of Title I and Title III funding.
Title IIa funding has allowed Wisner-Pilger the opportunity to minimize the teacher to student ratio in the primary grades through the class size reduction initiative.
Additionally, ESEA funds have been earmarked to provide training for faculty and staff members with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and integrating concepts from the Science of Reading framework into daily reading instruction. Training in the area of Social and Emotional Learning for faculty members was identified as a need on the most recent Strategic Action Plan for the district. Training in this area has been provided for all faculty members through Title IV funding.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Wisner-Pilger Schools believes in the effectiveness of structured and continual professional development (PD) opportunities for all faculty and staff. The Wisner-Pilger Board of Education demonstrates its commitment to PD through annual goal setting and allocation of funds. Our administrative team prioritizes PD through the district’s strategic plan by establishing goals and action steps that specifically target PD across all programs. Building level leadership teams articulate and track a PD plan that supports new and experienced teachers, paraprofessionals, new program implementation, and program training and maintenance.
The district has provided faculty and staff members with PD in the PLC process, instructional practice, initial and follow-up program-specific training for core programs, core supplements, and targeted interventions including PD grounded in the Science of Reading and discourse-based math instruction. We believe the results of this level of dedication speak clearly.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Wisner-Pilger Elementary began to redefine our view of the teaching and learning process more than ten years ago. Through participation in the right professional development which focuses not just on teaching, but more importantly on learning, we began this cultural shift. We’ve embraced the renowned quote by Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.” We take pride in recruiting and retaining the best teachers by providing them with ongoing professional development as well as mentorship and coaching support. Teachers are afforded the opportunity to become leaders among their peers. At every level, teachers take ownership of their roles through leadership and participation in the PLC process, PD, and curriculum development. Collaborative team meetings supporting content area programs and individual grade levels serve as vehicles for faculty to bolster student success.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Wisner-Pilger Elementary is part of a district which benefits from strong community involvement. Patrons, families, and community members have a regular presence in our building. We consistently meet with over 95% of our families at both fall and spring parent teacher conferences. Local businesses and organizations such as Lions Club® support our students by providing financial assistance for necessities. Community banks are present monthly for Bank in Schools Day, facilitating an early opportunity for students to manage money. A Teammates® mentoring program matches students with a caring adult. Community members serve on our School Improvement committee which annually examines the impact of our programs upon student learning. As a schoolwide Title 1 building, families participate in Family Nights which provide opportunities to enjoy a meal and engage in pre-planned activities. Most importantly our community is the home of the students whom we have the privilege of serving each day.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 1,498
    Student Enrollment: 263
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 2%
    White/Caucasian: 79%
    Hispanic: 15%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14
    % Reduced Lunch: 51%
    % ELL Learners: 7%
    Founded: 1969
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Mark Porter
  • CONTACT:
    801 18th Street
    Wisner, NE 68791
    402-529-6465
    mporter@igators.org