• Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 4
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 10,580
    Student Enrollment: 569
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1.7%
    White/Caucasian: 89%
    Hispanic: 4.7%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.9%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 3.7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:12.2
    % Reduced Lunch: 40.6%
    % ELL Learners: 0.4%
    Founded: 1971
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Leah Chesney
  • CONTACT:
    800 Middle Road
    Acushnet, MA 02743
    508-998-0255
    leahchesney@acushnetschools.us
Acushnet Elementary School
Acushnet, MA
"We live by the motto, “better together."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Acushnet Elementary School is part of a small district that values achieving academic excellence, creating robust social and emotional learning experiences, and strengthening partnerships with parents and the larger community. All stakeholders work together to create a safe and supportive learning environment that promotes student success. We develop students’ critical thinking and problem solving capabilities while promoting a growth mindset. Student enthusiasm and creativity are cultivated to bring forth the unique strengths of all our students.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
We adopted new high quality curricula in reading and math, and teachers have spent countless hours digging into the new material. Each grade level has weekly support time where they meet with instructional coaches and administrators to discuss results of student data. Additional collaborative planning time provides a chance to determine the best course of action for students who need interventions. During the pandemic, our teachers and staff provided a unique model of synchronous hybrid instruction and were able to see their students every day, maintaining a focus on consistent attendance and rigorous instruction. Now that we are back to “normal,” teachers remain committed to providing students with opportunities to advance their skills in all subject areas.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA helps fund many aspects of our multi-tiered systems of support. Our assessment and data collection system provides the platform to discuss student performance and progress. Our interventionists work closely with teachers and staff to provide targeted instruction and monitor progress. Funds have sponsored training and materials for teachers to learn additional strategies to address areas of need. An additional classroom was created with an embedded reading specialist to both lower class sizes and accelerate reading achievement.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Our teachers are dedicated to improving their practice. Throughout many conversations with teachers, we learned they were searching for a way to help cement student learning. In response, we created professional development based on specific strategies to improve long-term content mastery. Teachers also have participated in professional development that addressed growth mindset, math manipulatives, and other areas. In addition, teachers helped develop a list of professional learning communities that would meet once per month, based on interest and need. Some of our teachers spearhead these learning committees.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
We live by the motto, “better together,” and everyone who walks in this building is an essential and valued team member. We focus on building relationships with staff and students, creating a strong sense of belonging. These relationships are the foundation of a safe collaborative environment where teacher leadership is encouraged. We explicitly teach specific character traits each month and recognize students who exemplify these qualities as part of our PBIS program. All these efforts help create a positive, supportive learning environment where students and staff both say they love coming to school each day.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Being “better together” extends beyond the walls of our school. Our success is directly related to our community’s involvement; we are a small town with a big heart. Our school district is the proud hub of the town and is what draws families to Acushnet. The residents and town departments come together to support the district's needs. Our PTO is actively involved with fundraising and events planning. Parent volunteers are active in supporting the work we do and community members regularly promote our programming. The school committee understands and supports our district’s missions and works collaboratively with all stakeholders. Community partners help support various programming within the school. We are “better together!”
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: pre k - 4
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 10,580
    Student Enrollment: 569
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1.7%
    White/Caucasian: 89%
    Hispanic: 4.7%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.9%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 3.7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:12.2
    % Reduced Lunch: 40.6%
    % ELL Learners: 0.4%
    Founded: 1971
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Leah Chesney
  • CONTACT:
    800 Middle Road
    Acushnet, MA 02743
    508-998-0255
    leahchesney@acushnetschools.us