• Category 2

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: 3 - 4
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 1,247
    Student Enrollment: 310
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 12%
    White/Caucasian: 80%
    Hispanic: 8%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:22
    % Reduced Lunch: 73%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 1994
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jo Saucier
  • CONTACT:
    29777 S. Montpelier Rd
    Albany, LA 70711
    985-974-8515
    jojean.saucier@lpsb.org
Albany Upper Elementary School
Albany, LA
"Everything we do at Albany Upper is built upon the essential realization that relationships are crucial to success."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Everything we do at Albany Upper is built upon the essential realization that relationships are crucial to success. This realization creates a school culture that fosters a safe space for our students to learn, grow, and be challenged. That growth mindset is ever present for both teachers and students alike. The pillars of success at Albany Upper are data-driven, systematic, and strategic. In depth data analysis from a variety of sources begins our learning journey as we always strive to see beyond the numbers and focus on the individual student. In grade level, curriculum specific, data teams, we spend time analyzing results and plan for addressing our students' individual needs. With this systematic approach we are able to quickly identify content areas where students may need remediation, encouragement, or enrichment. It is our school culture and focus on relationships, that contribute the most to the success of our diverse learners.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
One contributing structure for success is how interventions and enrichment instruction are delivered in our iLab. These daily small groups are led by master teachers and paraprofessionals with a focus on academic needs of the student and relationship building. These small groups are essential for modeling a love for learning while building confidence in students to do their very best. Of particular success, is a mentor-buddy system for students who may have special circumstances. This structure ensures that every student has the opportunity to make a connection with an adult focused on speaking life and encouragement to the child. This relationship building is accomplished with non-instructional interaction with students, lunch with a teacher, counselor connections, or just those times to converse in the hallway or at recess. Every second must be used to build up our students academically, socially, and emotionally to truly focus on the entire child.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has supported our school's success by allowing us to provide a multitude of resources needed to achieve our academic and relationship building goals. Resources such as professional development in utilizing technology and multi media tools to address different learning styles and academic needs of students. Parental and community engagement by providing on-line resources and events to increase communication and involvement. Before and after school tutoring to remediate or provide enrichment. Paraprofessional support during small group and individual instruction to assist students' with strengths and weaknesses.
All this and more is made possible because of ESEA funding.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Data results revealed writing as a focus area in need of improvement. Professional development was provided to improve teaching and learning in this area by attending Writing Framework Workshops. Peer observations were also conducted to improve writing instruction. From this teachers also learned how to score writing and conduct writing conferences with students.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
A cultural shift that has occurred at Albany Upper Elementary leading to our success is promoting a growth mindset in both teachers and students and relationship building. This growth mindset for us, was best accomplished with analyzing data in order to drive instruction and set goals. Ultimately, this change in our school culture made the faculty and students feel more ownership of their learning and more likely to set and accomplish rigorous goals.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Building strong relationships with community, parents, and students is crucial to our school's success. Community leaders and parents are invited to all events during the school year. Community leaders also speak to our students and faculty at our club meetings throughout the year. Albany Upper faculty supports our community by volunteering to serve during school supply drives and other charitable events. Community and faculty has complete and total buy in that Personal Relationships = Success for our students.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: 3 - 4
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 1,247
    Student Enrollment: 310
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 12%
    White/Caucasian: 80%
    Hispanic: 8%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:22
    % Reduced Lunch: 73%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 1994
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jo Saucier
  • CONTACT:
    29777 S. Montpelier Rd
    Albany, LA 70711
    985-974-8515
    jojean.saucier@lpsb.org