• Category 1

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 5
    Student Enrollment: 544
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.4%
    White/Caucasian: 97.8%
    Hispanic: 0.6%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 1.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:17
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1951
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Angela LaFon
  • CONTACT:
    4503 State Route 243
    Ironton, OH 45638
    740-532-6898
    angie.dillow@db.k12.oh.us
Dawson-Bryant Elementary School
Ironton, OH
We have a climate of high expectations supported by a growth mindset."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Although there are many factors that I would consider as contributions to our success, it all begins with a positive school culture. Through administrative support and staff buy-in, we have been able to foster a climate with high expectations supported by a growth mindset. The basic foundation of Dawson-Bryant Elementary focuses on the importance of people and their role in individual student success. Appropriate staffing allows for reduced class sizes, an intervention specialist per grade level, and the support of grade level and one-on-one student paraprofessionals.Through the use of recently retired teachers as tutors, small groups of at-risk students receive an additional 30 minutes of targeted reading instruction daily. Our goal is to ensure we are meeting the individual needs of all learners both academically and socially at Dawson-Bryant Elementary School.

2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The greatest contributing factor that promoted positive change at Dawson-Bryant Elementary School was an increase of administrative support and resources followed by a high level of staff buy-in to working towards school goals. In order to meet the needs of our at-risk student population, we were able to hire recently retired teachers as tutors to provide additional reading and skill-based literacy activities to our children. We also increased the number of grade level and individual student paraprofessionals, allowing teachers to focus on curriculum and instruction in the classroom.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has supported our success at Dawson-Bryant Elementary by helping to provide adequate staffing as well as up-to-date technology and programming. Class size reduction has been instrumental with our at-risk student population by allowing more opportunities for small group and individual instruction within the classroom.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Each year, Dawson-Bryant Local Schools offer an abundance of professional development opportunities designed to improve teaching and learning. During district level administrative team meetings, areas of need are identified and targeted. Much of the PD is provided in-house during common planning time, set aside professional days, and during the summer months. Additional opportunities are provided through collaboration with our local Educational Service Center.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Fostering an environment of trust and autonomy while supporting the individual needs of staff has created a culture leading to the success at Dawson-Bryant Elementary. Staff feel empowered and safe while focusing on educating our kids. It has been important to allow them the freedom to determine what their classroom should look like. This has created a staff morale where everyone wants to be successful. The bottom line is that we are all working for the same goal - student success, both academically and emotionally. By always focusing on the individual needs of all stakeholders, everyone believes they are an integral component of Dawson-Bryant Elementary School.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Community involvement is one of the biggest contributors to our school’s success. Partnerships with programs like our local NECCO Counseling Agency and Backpack Buddies allow us to provide resources for students and families meeting social emotional and basic care needs.
In addition to strong outside community partnerships, we open our doors several times throughout the school year to welcome community leaders for events such as “First Responder’s Day” and “Read Across America Day”.
Our parent-teacher organization is instrumental in promoting opportunities for family involvement. Our fall Open House, Family Nights throughout the year, and our annual Fall Festival are much anticipated events which bring all stakeholders together for the common goal of supporting our students.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 5
    Student Enrollment: 544
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.4%
    White/Caucasian: 97.8%
    Hispanic: 0.6%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 1.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:17
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1951
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Angela LaFon
  • CONTACT:
    4503 State Route 243
    Ironton, OH 45638
    740-532-6898
    angie.dillow@db.k12.oh.us