• Category 1

    Selected in 2017

  • Grades: pre k - 4
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 14,000
    Student Enrollment: 1,009
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 15%
    White/Caucasian: 80%
    Hispanic: 2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 2%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:17
    % Reduced Lunch: 50%
    % ELL Learners: 1%
    Founded: 2008
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Stan Stokley
  • CONTACT:
    229 McKeough Avenue
    Saraland, AL 36571
    251-679-5739
    sstokley@saralandboe.org
Saraland Elementary School
Saraland, AL
We work together to promote a positive climate and culture centered around the belief that every individual should be given the best opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve their maximum potential.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
The Saraland Elementary School leadership team works together to create and foster a family atmosphere on campus. The principal, assistant principal, and academic coaches review policies and programs needed for student achievement. The school principal employs a democratic approach to leadership. A school Advisory Council of 12 faculty and staff members provides school-wide leadership and meets every three weeks to plan for school improvement. All faculty and staff members provide input for school improvement through written correspondence at least once a year. Through dedicated and democratic leadership, the school principal has created a culture that fosters a love for learning and sets high academic expectations for students. School policies and practices promote collaboration and ownership of the school vision, which leads to high student achievement.
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
The single most important factor at SES is having high expectations for all students. These expectations are shared with parents regularly through face to face meetings and conferences, school newsletters, weekly teacher newsletters, the school brochure, the Student-Parent Handbook, the school’s website, and through social media. School Cast calls are made frequently by the administration to keep parents abreast of all activities and to communicate important information. Other events such as Open House, state-wide Parenting Day, the Title I Parents Right to Know meeting, and Parent Pop-in Nights equip parents with the necessary tools to help their children achieve success at SES. The Saraland community’s commitment to SES is unwavering.
Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.
Saraland Elementary School administrators, teachers, and staff work collaboratively to develop an annual professional development plan based on the school’s academic and operational needs. Professional learning is related to improving student achievement and provides instruction that results in personal growth for certified and support staff members. The plan is evaluated regularly for effectiveness in improving instruction, student learning, and the conditions that support learning. District initiatives have led to administrators and teachers participating in professional development that focuses on student achievement. School leaders participate in the Powerful Conversations Network, Instructional Partners Network, and Key Leaders Network. Information and best practices from these professional learning opportunities enhance the school staff’s ability to promote and incorporate discussion, questioning, and reflection among faculty and staff.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
Data plays an important role in instruction at SES and is regularly used to guide instructional practices and strategies. The school leadership team, faculty, staff, and students utilize formative and summative data for progress monitoring of academic achievement. The school uses several formative assessments to monitor student progress. Rigorous weekly common assessments incorporate higher order Depth of Knowledge skills and are aligned to the state standards. Monthly Response to Instruction (RtI) meetings are held to discuss and develop strategies for struggling students. Quarterly data meetings are held to review all forms of data for the purpose of evaluating students’ academic progress. Lesson plans and pacing guides are adjusted to reflect identified strengths and weaknesses. All students have data folders for their individual data. The clear focus and high expectations for student achievement is the key to academic success at SES.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
The faculty, staff, and administration of Saraland Elementary School (SES) work together to promote a positive climate and culture centered around the belief that every individual should be given the best opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve maximum potential. The school leadership strives to be a positive encouragement for all students and staff and works closely with all employees to provide assistance for all students. Incentives are provided for students to go above and beyond the basic achievement levels. SES values the relationship between teachers and parents and works to promote positive communication and a spirit of working together for the success of every child. School administrators and academic coaches meet one on one with students to review data notebooks and set individual achievement goals. The feeling of concern and trust among the administration, faculty, staff, students, and parents creates a positive culture in the school and community.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2017

  • Grades: pre k - 4
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 14,000
    Student Enrollment: 1,009
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 15%
    White/Caucasian: 80%
    Hispanic: 2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 2%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:17
    % Reduced Lunch: 50%
    % ELL Learners: 1%
    Founded: 2008
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Stan Stokley
  • CONTACT:
    229 McKeough Avenue
    Saraland, AL 36571
    251-679-5739
    sstokley@saralandboe.org