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We started a Community Appreciation Dinner over a decade ago. School staff engages the community in conversation while serving food prepared by the school kitchen staff and desserts made by the teaching staff. Students and their parents attend. Former students and their parents attend. Board members and their families attend. Tax payers with no children in school attend.

Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen the ties to your community.

We started a Community Appreciation Dinner over a decade ago. This has proven to be an annual event to which the community looks forward every year. School staff engages the community in conversation while serving food prepared by the school kitchen staff and desserts made by the teaching staff. Students and their parents attend. Former students and their parents attend. Board members and their families attend. Tax payers with no children in school attend. The community enjoys the chance to visit with other community members with whom they may only see once a year at this event.

Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.

When considering school change or improvement one must always keep in mind that the school exists and functions now. It is a complex system or organism that is already in motion. Any changes or improvements need to take into account the present workings of the system, and then asking questions such as, how did the existing structure come about and why, what works well, what is problematic, what is lacking? When working toward a change, administration needs to be clear about the goals and expectations. In order to do so, one needs to assess the current situation, provide an alternative, and consider all the various ramifications of the upcoming change. When the change is well thought out, then one must present the change to the affected parties, illuminating the benefits of the change.

What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?

I believe that the single most important factor contributing to the success of our school is our school culture and climate. The administration is constantly monitoring these aspects of the school and working to keep the culture and climate positive. The culture is the relationships among all the interested publics of which the school is part. Equal respect for all, regardless of position, is foundational. The culture is created and maintained through policy. The climate is the day to day interactions among the interested publics. Again, respect is paramount.

Explain how Title I funds have supported your improvement efforts.

We use our Title I funds to strengthen students who need additional support but who do not qualify for Special Education. These students are able to progress in the regular classroom curriculum, but need modifications such as longer completion time, shortened assignments, small group settings, etc. We have a Title 1 teacher and one or two Title 1 aides who work to meet the needs of these students.

Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.

We have at least four sources of data to inform us of our students’ capabilities and progress. We use Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP), Criterion Reference Tests (CRTs), Success Maker, and classroom assessments. This data is reviewed at least quarterly by grade level teachers, combined grade level teachers, and administration. In reading and math, students are placed in the classroom that best meets their needs. Through constant monitoring, students will be moved when appropriate to allow them to progress at their own rate. Teachers have worked to create a yearly timeline of concepts so that the mobility between groups will not cause any concept gaps in students’ learning.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2012

• Grades: k - 8
  School Setting: rural
  Town Population: 549
  Student Enrollment: 203
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 1%
  White/Caucasian: 98%
  Hispanic: 0%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 1%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:23
  % Reduced Lunch: 50%
  % ELL Learners: 0%
  Founded: 1924
• PRINCIPAL:
  Julie Espinosa
• CONTACT:
  PO Box 250
  Clinton, MT 59825
  406 825 3113
  jespinosa@clintoncougars.com