• Category 3

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 15
    Student Enrollment: 630
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 3.8%
    White/Caucasian: 14%
    Hispanic: 74.8%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.3%
    Asian: 1.7%
    Native American: 5.1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 7%
    Founded: 1988
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jeffrey Hartog
  • CONTACT:
    236 Don Pasqual
    Los Lunas, NM 87031
    505-865-6223
    jhartog@llschools.net
Katherine Gallegos Elementary School
Los Lunas, NM
We have always embraced the diversity of our student population and school community.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our school was recognized for our success with our ELL population. We went from 0% proficient in ELA and math to 30% and 60% proficient respectively in two years.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
I contribute our success to a couple of things. First of all we instituted a school wide phone program (6 Steps Phonics) and my teachers have been teaching that program with fidelity. I believe that program has led to higher reading scores across my school. We have trained almost every adult in the building to facilitate that program in order to give us a lower student/teacher ratio and ensures that all students can get the program at the same time. The other thing that we have done is to make sure that we teach our ELL students the same way that we teach our "regular" students. We use the ELL strategies school wide and aim for a high level of first instruction so that our ELL students get the same quality instruction as the rest of our population.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
We have used ESEA funding for some professional development opportunities as it applies to ELL strategies. We don't have any other very special programs as our ELL population is relatively small compared to other schools but we have done some work and professional development specifically in this area.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
We worked with a consulting firm called solution tree on improving first instruction as well as specific ELL strategies. I have also had 100% of my staff training using the WIDA modules. This has helped teachers better understand the needs of our ELL population and their needs.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
I honestly don't think that there has been a cultural shift. We have always embraced the diversity of our student population and school community. This success has just showed us that what are are doing is working and it is incentive to make us work that much harder.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Our community has been very proud of our school and recognition. We have been featured in the local newspaper as well as visited by members of the State Legislature Finance Committee to better understand what we do and what best practices are moving forward. We are very proud to have earned this recognition.
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 15
    Student Enrollment: 630
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 3.8%
    White/Caucasian: 14%
    Hispanic: 74.8%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.3%
    Asian: 1.7%
    Native American: 5.1%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 7%
    Founded: 1988
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jeffrey Hartog
  • CONTACT:
    236 Don Pasqual
    Los Lunas, NM 87031
    505-865-6223
    jhartog@llschools.net