• Category 2

    Selected in 2020

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 34,000
    Student Enrollment: 363
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 36%
    White/Caucasian: 30%
    Hispanic: 23%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 39%
    % ELL Learners: 14%
    Founded: 1964
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Asia Ali-Hawkins
  • CONTACT:
    908 Janice Drive
    Newark, DE 19713
    302-454-2145
    Asia.Ali-Hawkins@christina.k12.de.us
Joseph M. McVey Elementary School
Newark, DE
We focus on equity and inclusion in order to support the needs of all students.
Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.
Prior to COVID Literacy Nights were conducted. Monthly parent nights are in works to take place vis Zoom in order to keep families engaged.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
Holding Literacy Nights and and going out into the community to deliver books to families are activities that strengthen school and community relationships. Also, having the Book House outside of the school and keeping it stocked with free books for families helps with the school/ community connection.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
The school philosophy is focusing on equity and inclusion in order to support the needs of all students.
What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?
1) Focus on student Social/Emotional needs through Restorative Practices and Leader in Me

2) implementing ILA tools as we implement a newly adopted Reading Curriculum
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
ILA training and a focus on embedded Literacy and Reading across the curriculum.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
A partnership with the International Literacy Association (ILA) had a great impact on closing the achievement gap. The focus on literacy and building classroom libraries and providing opportunities for families to build their at home libraries supported school growth.
Explain how ESEA federal funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
ESEA funds will be used for Professional Development efforts, community outreach events, student intervention programs, and technology support for staff and students.
Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.
Professional development in ILA, instructional technology support and training, Restorative Practices training, and Leader in Me training.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
School demographics as well as achievement on state testing and iReady testing caused the school leadership to focus on leadership as an effort to close the achievement gap between our student groups.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
McVey has a school culture that values positive relationships amongst staff and with staff and students. The school also values the idea that reading is key to learning and success and the school has put a major focus on Reading across content areas.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2020

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 34,000
    Student Enrollment: 363
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 36%
    White/Caucasian: 30%
    Hispanic: 23%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 5%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 39%
    % ELL Learners: 14%
    Founded: 1964
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Asia Ali-Hawkins
  • CONTACT:
    908 Janice Drive
    Newark, DE 19713
    302-454-2145
    Asia.Ali-Hawkins@christina.k12.de.us