• Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 15,000
    Student Enrollment: 320
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 71%
    Hispanic: 12%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 10%
    Other: 7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 53%
    % ELL Learners: 10%
    Founded: 1910
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Lisa Heckenlaible
  • CONTACT:
    110 Mentzer St
    Mitchell, SD 57301
    605-995-3092
    lisa.heckenlaible@k12.sd.us
Longfellow Elementary School
Mitchell, SD
"All learners deserve to have the ‘best of the best’ leading them."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
We are so proud of our school and are ecstatic to earn this prestigious award. Our staff and learners have worked very hard to ensure we reach our fullest potential in student performance and academic growth. We not only strive to perform high academically but to live by the 16 Habits of Mind schoolwide.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
About six years ago, we implemented flexible learning dens. Each of the three learning dens is comprised of a second, third, fourth, and fifth grade class (minors-majors-masters-mentors). Within each den, teachers take topics to hone in on and learners take proficiency leveled preassessments. These assessments allow the teachers to know where each learner is at in their educational journey and what gaps/holes they may have from previous/prerequisite standards and skills. Teachers then create differentiated lessons and activities to help learners gain an understanding of ‘missing’ concepts. This is done through an ‘I Learn,’ ‘We Practice,’ and ‘I Prove’ rotation for each strand/topic. Our program incorporates peer teaching and collaboration.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
Our Title I teachers play a significant role in the success of our program. They provide tiered instruction during our flex reading. They also work diligently with the kindergarten and first grade learners, prior to them joining a den in second grade. They are an integral part of our success and couldn’t be where we’re at today without them.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
We work every year to hone in on our craft, finding research-based lessons to help learners better grasp content. Staff collaborate with grade levels and learning dens, to ensure we are continually providing challenging content and yet keeping in mind the various levels of learners. We collaborate during the summer and throughout the year, during grade level building meetings. We have also done a book study with Learning and Leading with the Habits of Mind. This year our professional development revolved around the science of reading, focusing on phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Our school, for years, has always been considered the lowest socioeconomic school and traditionally performed the lowest in the district. Ridding ourselves of that stigma was the first priority. We needed to shift our way of thinking and understand that our learners need people who believe in them, no matter what their backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and ability levels were. It was our job to love them, care for them, and provide a fun and educational setting. We needed them to have a reason to want to come to school each day. Our staff is energetic and by leading and teaching the 16 Habits of Miind, we have changed the culture of our school and philosophy. All learners deserve to have the ‘best of the best’ leading them. It takes a village and our entire school works collaboratively to ensure we provide a safe, nurturing, and educational environment for our learners.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
We look at community involvement with a different lens in that our dens complete various community impact projects. They have done food drives, made tie blankets, read to the nursing homes, etc. It fills our hearts to know that our young learners are understanding the importance of giving and that even as small and young as they are, they can make a positive difference in our community. We in turn feel the love and support and feel very proud to all be citizens of the Mitchell, South Dakota community. Home of the Corn Palace is where it’s happening!
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 15,000
    Student Enrollment: 320
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 71%
    Hispanic: 12%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 10%
    Other: 7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 53%
    % ELL Learners: 10%
    Founded: 1910
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Lisa Heckenlaible
  • CONTACT:
    110 Mentzer St
    Mitchell, SD 57301
    605-995-3092
    lisa.heckenlaible@k12.sd.us