• Category 1

    Selected in 2016

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 14
    Student Enrollment: 444
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.2%
    White/Caucasian: 81%
    Hispanic: 12%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.5%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 2%
    Other: 3.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:25
    % Reduced Lunch: 59%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1985
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Denise Lane
  • CONTACT:
    5500 Whitaker Road
    Chubbuck, ID 83202
    208-237-4742
    lanede@sd25.us
Rulon M. Ellis Elementary School
Chubbuck, ID
We believe that keeping up with new technology and methodology helps to improve our school.
Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.
At Ellis Elementary we want parents and families to be involved and informed with what we are doing. We offer parent nights, conduct parent teacher conferences twice a year, encourage parent volunteers, weekly communication from teachers, monthly school newsletter, and monthly PTA meetings. We also send home parent surveys concerning parent night activity they would find valuable as well as types of homework they find beneficial.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
As Ellis we feel community relations are very important. We have a monthly school newsletter that keeps parents involved and updated. There is an electronic copy sent to each family, a hard copy available to those who want it, and a copy on our school website. To further encourage community involvement, we have community volunteers that help at our school on a daily basis. Many of these individuals are very active in the school PTA (Parent Teacher Association). The PTA puts on many events at school for families and the community (Fall Carnival, Family Fun Run, Dads and Doughnuts, Moms and Muffins, Field Day)
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
At Ellis we are constantly looking at how we can improve. We believe that keeping up with new technology and methodology helps to improve our school. Along with this, we have a mindset that change can be good and is the one constant we can count on. We are continually looking for ways to improve our teaching strategies, curriculum delivery, and student involvement/participation in their learning.
What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?
At Ellis we have a heavy emphasis on writing throughout the school. Students are writing throughout all content areas to prepare them to be successful as they continue their education and careers. Teachers are trained in the Six Traits of Writing and professional development is also provided. Our writing goal is for the percent of students scoring "yes" in meeting grade level standards for overall writing on the 6 Traits of Writing Quick Write benchmark assessment will increase from 11.5% in the Fall 2016 to 80% in the Spring of 2017.

We also believe that all students can learn and that learning is hard work. Our math goal is that 75% of all students will persevere through hard work to meet targets on assigned math unit performance tasks.
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
Our school has an environment of trust and respect that enables us to collaborate effectively. We believe this skill is important to have between staff, students, and parents. The environment at Ellis is a safe and welcoming place for all school community members. This type of environment enables teachers and students to take risks and participate in the learning activities.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
At Ellis we have implemented intervention and enrichment times for both math and reading at all grade levels. In order to do this, we hold “Childfind” meetings every 8-10 weeks to look at student data. During this time grade level, special education, administration, and Title I teachers collaborate to determine student needs. We also do benchmark and diagnostic testing three times a year to see exactly what the needs of these student are.

In addition, we also have PLC’s (Professional Learning Communities) meetings once a week. This is a time for grade level teachers to collaborate, look at student work/data and determine what will be taught the following week based on the units of study and student needs. We are constantly adjusting our delivery of instruction to meet the needs of the students to maximize learning.
Explain how Title I funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
Most of our Title I funds are used on personnel. We have two full time interventionist and three full time paraprofessionals that work with students that need extra support. All of these individuals instruct intervention groups for both reading and math. Some of our money is also used to support Title I parent nights, technology, purchasing teacher and parent resources, parent training, and professional development for teachers.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Our school culture is that of respect for each other and the importance of constant improvement. We have high expectations and believe all students can achieve no matter what their ability level is. At Ellis Elementary, every individual working in the school has a responsibility for the progress of each student. The improvement revolves around the needs of our students and their feelings of accomplishment.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2016

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 14
    Student Enrollment: 444
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.2%
    White/Caucasian: 81%
    Hispanic: 12%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.5%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 2%
    Other: 3.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:25
    % Reduced Lunch: 59%
    % ELL Learners: 0%
    Founded: 1985
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Denise Lane
  • CONTACT:
    5500 Whitaker Road
    Chubbuck, ID 83202
    208-237-4742
    lanede@sd25.us