• Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 2,800
    Student Enrollment: 210
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1%
    White/Caucasian: 84%
    Hispanic: 14%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0.5%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 48%
    % ELL Learners: 1%
    Founded: 1955
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Rachel Rene Gwinn
  • CONTACT:
    121 S. 10th St.
    Pomeroy, WA 99347
    509-843-1651
    rgwinn@psd.wednet.edu
Pomeroy Elementary School
Pomeroy, WA
Understanding the variations in students' health backgrounds became a focal point of this cultural shift.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our Pomeroy Elementary School takes immense pride in being recognized as an ESEA National Distinguished School. This prestigious honor is a testament to our team’s commitment to fostering exceptional student performance and academic growth. Our team of educators have made the commitment to meet each student at their academic level and work hard to support them to make growth toward all grade level standards. We dedicated our time and passion to providing an enriching learning environment that empowers students to thrive and excel. This achievement reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and the entire school community. We remain committed to maintaining this standard of excellence and continue to strive for the highest levels of academic achievement for our students.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The greatest contributing factors that promoted positive change in our school can be attributed to our strategic focus on students who needed the most support. By identifying those in need, our dedicated staff implemented science-based interventions tailored to individual learning requirements. Flexibility was a key element, as we made timely adjustments to interventions based on ongoing assessments and feedback. The commitment to continually progress monitor for growth ensured that our interventions were effective, allowing us to adapt and refine our strategies as needed. This targeted and adaptive approach has played a pivotal role in fostering positive change, enabling our school to meet the diverse needs of our students and drive continuous improvement in academic performance. In addition, working with our families to help support the students at home also played a pivotal role in our students’ academic success.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has played a crucial role in supporting our school's success by providing the financial resources needed for key initiatives. The funds has allowed us to hire additional staff, ensuring a lower student-to-teacher ratio and personalized attention for each student. This has significantly enhanced the quality of education and support available in our school.
The funding has been instrumental in acquiring essential instructional materials, ranging from textbooks to technological resources. These materials have not only enriched the learning experience for our students but have also aligned with modern educational standards. ESEA funding has facilitated paid time for professional development and collaboration among our staff. This investment in ongoing training has empowered our educators to stay current with best practices, innovative teaching methods, and evolving educational trends. This has a direct impact on the quality of instruction and the overall academic environment.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Our school implemented a range of targeted professional development activities to enhance teaching and learning. These activities were designed to address specific areas of focus and improve overall instructional effectiveness. Some key professional development initiatives include: Phonemic Awareness: Teachers engaged in workshops and training sessions focused on phonemic awareness strategies. Emphasis was placed on incorporating evidence-based practices into daily lesson plans to strengthen students' foundational literacy skills.
Dyslexia Training: Specialized training sessions were conducted to equip educators with a deeper understanding of dyslexia and related learning challenges. Strategies for identifying and supporting students with dyslexia were discussed, enabling teachers to implement targeted interventions.
These professional development activities were instrumental in fostering a collaborative and informed teaching community.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Our school's success was marked by a significant cultural shift that encompassed a deeper understanding and acknowledgment of the diverse backgrounds and needs of our students. Recognizing that all students are not given the same supports at home marked a crucial turning point. This realization prompted a shift in mindset, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach to education.
Understanding the variations in students' health backgrounds became a focal point of this cultural shift.
Acknowledging that students in a classroom will not all learn at the same rate or enter with the same academic level was a pivotal aspect of the cultural transformation. This realization prompted a shift towards differentiated instruction, allowing educators to tailor their teaching methods to accommodate diverse learning styles and paces. Teachers and staff collaborated to develop strategies that addressed the individual needs of students, ensuring that no one was left behind.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Community involvement has played a pivotal role in strengthening the success of our school in, fostering a collaborative and supportive educational environment. Parent Support of Teachers: Parental involvement has been a cornerstone of our success, with parents actively supporting teachers in the educational journey of their children. Communication channels were established to keep parents informed about classroom activities and academic progress, creating a strong partnership between home and school.
Support of School Levy: Support for school levies has been crucial in ensuring consistent funding for essential educational initiatives. The passing of school levies demonstrates the community's commitment to investing in education, providing the financial resources needed for staffing, materials, and facility improvements.
The collaborative effort between the school and the community has created a relationship, where the success of one is intertwined with the success of the other.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 2,800
    Student Enrollment: 210
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1%
    White/Caucasian: 84%
    Hispanic: 14%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0.5%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:18
    % Reduced Lunch: 48%
    % ELL Learners: 1%
    Founded: 1955
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Rachel Rene Gwinn
  • CONTACT:
    121 S. 10th St.
    Pomeroy, WA 99347
    509-843-1651
    rgwinn@psd.wednet.edu