• Category 3

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: 2 - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 16,171
    Student Enrollment: 986
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 12%
    White/Caucasian: 78%
    Hispanic: 1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 50%
    % ELL Learners: 2%
    Founded: 2008
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Stan Stokley
  • CONTACT:
    229 McKeough Avenue
    Saraland, AL 36571
    334-422-5005
    sstokley@saralandboe.org
Saraland Elementary School
Saraland, AL
We focus on the belief that every individual can learn, grow, and achieve maximum potential.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our school has been fortunate to have academic success over the past several years. We have been a school system for only 16 years. During this time, we have been recognized as an Exemplary High Performing National Blue Ribbon School in 2017 and a National Title One Distinguished School in 2017. We have been an A rated school by the Alabama State Department of Education. Our most recent report card grade was a 98 A.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
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. The Saraland community’s commitment to SES is unwavering. Communication is shared in a variety of ways, helping all families access information in a language they can understand and in a delivery method they can access. The use of translated materials and interpreters is available for all events and information sent home. Regular meetings for parents of English Learners provide information to help their students succeed, involve EL parents in school activities, and update parents on scheduled events in the school and community.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding supports English learner success through the purchase of English language development curriculum and formative assessments that align with WIDA standards. Books in students’ first languages and with cultural perspectives that represent the diversity of our student population have been purchased for classroom teachers and school libraries. Additional instructional supplies are provided to newcomer and lower income English learner families to ensure they are prepared to succeed with no financial barriers to learning and participating in classroom activities. Funding is also used to provide up-to-date professional development for English language and content teachers.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and 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. District initiatives have led to administrators and teachers participating in professional development that focuses on student achievement, including Phonics First and Kagan Cooperative Learning Strategies. These programs have been especially helpful for our ESL population, providing equitable access to the grade level content with multiple modalities and integrated scaffolds. School leaders participate in the Powerful Conversations Network and Key Leaders Network.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
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. Incentives are provided for students to go above and beyond the basic achievement levels. School administrators, academic coaches, and teachers meet one on one with students to review data 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. English learners fully participate in these interactions with the necessary language support and through the lens of English language development. School faculty and staff are aware of students’ language proficiency and how it may impact academic growth and social-emotional development.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Saraland Elementary is blessed to have multiple sources of community involvement. Local churches serve as extended support for our school and provide resources for our students on a weekly basis. Some of the support comes in the form of food and clothing for families in need, along with help for families during special holidays. We also have community volunteers who assist teachers and provide support for students. We have close working relationships with two local universities. These universities provide work study students along with student volunteers who assist with special events. Educators and professionals in the community helped create and lead after school language clubs, which provide English Learners an opportunity to develop and showcase their first language skills while providing language enrichment and strengthened interest in bilingualism at SES.
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: 2 - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 16,171
    Student Enrollment: 986
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 12%
    White/Caucasian: 78%
    Hispanic: 1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 50%
    % ELL Learners: 2%
    Founded: 2008
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Stan Stokley
  • CONTACT:
    229 McKeough Avenue
    Saraland, AL 36571
    334-422-5005
    sstokley@saralandboe.org