• Category 1

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 386
    Student Enrollment: 50
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 26%
    Hispanic: 64%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 8%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 10%
    Founded: 1950
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Alice Gonzales
  • CONTACT:
    220 Highway 75
    Dixon, NM 87527
    505-579-4325
    alice.gonzales@k12espanola.org
Dixon Elementary School
Dixon, NM
The culture of our school is rooted in relationships and we support each other unconditionally. We are very much like a family."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Dixon Elementary is situated in a rural community with a population of 386 (2019) and a school enrollment of 50 students. We have a diverse student body. Each teacher, with the exception of Kindergarten, instructs combined grade levels, therefore having to become creative when developing and implementing lessons. Dixon Elementary has demonstrated increased student performance and academic growth over the years as measured by New Mexico State Standards and Istation Data in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Dixon Elementary was recently updated with technology to provide a 1:1 device for all students and staff. Having access to technology allows the opportunity for enhancing education beyond the classroom and moving into real time instruction.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
It is very difficult to pinpoint the exact factors that have promoted positive change in our school. We have a high level of parent involvement with an active PTO. Our Arts program thrives with the support of State funding that allows opportunities for local artists to teach and facilitate projects with our students. Our school and community values the diversity of our population and seeks out involvement from agencies that can help our students learn about the long heritage, but currently vibrant acequia system. The Cooking with Kids program helps students learn about healthy nutritional habits and let’s them put those skills into practice when preparing a meal as a class. Our teachers believe in the importance of creative, authentic learning opportunities and we work hard to help students see how learning relates to living. Our staff morale is generally high and our students are happy at school and where there is happiness, learning can work.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
Our Title I Department has been very supportive of our ideas at Dixon Elementary. ESEA funding has allowed teachers to purchase supplemental materials, technology that enhances student engagement and learning as well as materials for social-emotional check ins. We are fortunate to have a consistent Title I support teacher that instructs students from every grade who have difficulty reading. ESEA funding was used to purchase special programs, tools and games for teaching reading by engaging students’ different senses. The Title I support teacher is able to communicate about a child’s needs with other teachers and combines aspects of different reading programs to help them improve. The flash cards, electronic pens and other multisensory literacy methods she uses help younger and dyslexic readers to connect letters, syllables, and sounds.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Professional learning in recent years has become more relevant and applicable to teaching and learning. Supporting teachers in tools for teaching and learning such as RAZ+, iLit, and other programs that are being used on a regular basis allows us to implement programs with fidelity and therefore see the benefits in student learning. We have also been able to share our knowledge with families through back to school family institutes, math nights and literacy nights in order to strengthen the home/school connection. Our most recent district professional development from Dr. Sharroky Hollie on the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive teaching was impactful in recognizing the importance of including students' cultural references in all aspects of learning, building on individual and cultural experiences and their prior knowledge.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
The culture of our school is rooted in relationships and we support each other unconditionally. We are very much like a family. All of our staff members: cafeteria, custodian, teachers, office manager, librarian, Title I teacher, bus driver, counselor and nurse, are from the surrounding areas and have been part of our team for many years. We work as a team and collaborate on ideas, strategies and problem solving. The administrator is also a classroom teacher, so she knows exactly what other teachers are experiencing with the increased demands of paperwork, assessment and accountability. We are dedicated to the enrichment and success of our students and families.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
In our small, diverse rural village, Dixon Elementary is the heart of our community. Dixon Elementary partners with EVL to provide after school programs, STEM activities, Robotics Club and countless co-sponsored educational events for students and families. A local nonprofit organization, EVTA provides tutors to Dixon Elementary students for both enrichment and enhancement services. The local Fire Dept. offers regular opportunities for CPR certification for staff and parents. In addition to being a school, Dixon Elementary is a location for local artists’ and students’ work to be displayed during the oldest studio tour in the state. It is where the Annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for the Volunteer Fire Dept. is held, it is where community members play pickle ball and families bring their children to play after school hours. All of these small, but important interactions increase the entire community’s investment and involvement in the success of our school and our students.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 386
    Student Enrollment: 50
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 26%
    Hispanic: 64%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 8%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 10%
    Founded: 1950
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Alice Gonzales
  • CONTACT:
    220 Highway 75
    Dixon, NM 87527
    505-579-4325
    alice.gonzales@k12espanola.org