• Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 58,600
    Student Enrollment: 438
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 16.9%
    White/Caucasian: 57.3%
    Hispanic: 15.1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.2%
    Asian: 1.6%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 8.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 46%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 1977
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Casey Brownsberger
  • CONTACT:
    201 SE Sunnyside School Road
    Blue Springs, MO 64014
    816-874-3660
    cbrownsberger@bssd.net
James Walker Elementary School
Blue Springs, MO
"The “all hands on deck” approach became a mantra at JWE."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
James Walker Elementary is an all-kids community. This means every adult, every day, does what it takes to help every student succeed. Our school is successful because we create a positive and effective learning environment that has committed educators, empowered students, a strong community, personalized attention, social emotional support as well as extended learning opportunities for students.

By integrating these elements, we have a dynamic elementary school that is nurturing and provides an effective environment that supports student success.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
At James Walker Elementary School, a series of strategic initiatives have driven remarkable positive changes, creating a nurturing and effective learning environment for all students.
One of the greatest contributing factors has been the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to help students succeed. The school also benefits from the unwavering support of the community volunteers, known as “Difference Makers,” come in every week to read with students.
JWE has a strategic building plan that aligns with student, building, and community goals have further contributed to the school’s success. Empowering students to be leaders is another key initiative at JWE. Older students are assigned jobs throughout the building, helping to support younger students and build connections within the school community.
Through these combined efforts, James Walker Elementary School has created a dynamic and supportive environment that promotes student success and fosters a strong sense of community.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
At James Walker Elementary, ESEA funding has been instrumental in fostering student success and achievement across multiple facets of the educational experience.

Innovative tools like ABii by Van Robotics have been integrated into classrooms to enhance interactive learning. Additionally, the purchase of Just Right Reader K-2 foundational reading libraries and PCS science kits have provided essential resources for early literacy and exploration. Mystery Science and Scholastic Classroom libraries further enrich the curriculum. Parent involvement nights focused on literacy build a strong home-school connection, while tools like Book Creator empower students to publish their own work.

Professional development with experts such as Katherin Bomer and Barrett Gordon, as well as Pathways to Reading consultation, book studies on works by Jon San Giovanni and Whitney LaRocca promote continuous learning among staff, fostering an environment where both educators and students thrive.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Our approach is multifaceted, involving both district-level initiatives and in-house support to ensure that every teacher and student thrives.

At the district level, we are fortunate to have national consultants who bring cutting-edge research and proven theories on effective student learning. In addition to these consultants, we have a team of district instructional coaches who specialize in various areas.

One of our standout resources is our dynamic literacy coach at the building level. She plays a pivotal role in supporting teachers and students.

Our school counselors are another vital part of our school. Additionally, we have a BIST (Behavior Intervention Support Team) Consultant who collaborates with both students and teachers to create a positive learning environment.

Together, these professional development activities and support systems create a robust framework that empowers our teachers and enhances the learning experience for our students at James Walker Elementary.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
The journey to success at James Walker Elementary has been marked by a significant cultural shift, driven by a collective commitment to involving all stakeholders, fostering effective leadership, and ensuring that every student receives the support they need.

This transformation began with a concerted effort to engage all members of our school community. Parents, teachers, and staff members were invited to participate in meaningful dialogues about the school’s vision and goals.

The “all hands on deck” approach became a mantra at JWE. This collective effort ensured that no student fell through the cracks. Teachers collaborated to share best practices, support staff provided resources and interventions, and administrators facilitated professional development opportunities to keep everyone aligned with the school’s goals.

Through these combined efforts, James Walker Elementary has cultivated a culture of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering commitment to student success.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
At James Walker Elementary, community involvement is a cornerstone of our success. We believe that fostering strong connections with our families and the broader community enhances educational experience for our students and creates a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

Communication is another vital aspect of our community involvement strategy. We send out weekly school and classroom emails to keep our families informed about upcoming events, important announcements, and classroom activities.

Open communication and dialogue are fundamental to our approach. Our administration and teachers are always available to chat and work together with families.

Our Parent Teacher Association plays a crucial role in supporting our school and families through monthly activities designed to involve families in school life.

Through these combined efforts, James Walker Elementary has created a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone works together to support student success.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 58,600
    Student Enrollment: 438
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 16.9%
    White/Caucasian: 57.3%
    Hispanic: 15.1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.2%
    Asian: 1.6%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 8.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 46%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 1977
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Casey Brownsberger
  • CONTACT:
    201 SE Sunnyside School Road
    Blue Springs, MO 64014
    816-874-3660
    cbrownsberger@bssd.net