• Category 2

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 4
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 10,000
    Student Enrollment: 440
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 9.5%
    White/Caucasian: 70.4%
    Hispanic: 12.2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.5%
    Asian: 1.2%
    Native American: 1.4%
    Other: 4.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 65%
    % ELL Learners: 11.8%
    Founded: 1914
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Christine Miczan
  • CONTACT:
    701 Woods Road
    Solvay, NY 13209
    315-488-5422
    cmiczan@solvayschools.org
Solvay Elementary School
Solvay, NY
Our building is filled with dedicated staff who put kids' needs first.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our building is filled with dedicated staff who put kids' needs first. Over the last few years we have done a few things to support our students and increase achievement. We have focused on the social-emotional needs of our students, implementing Second-Step curriculum K-4. We have also embedded mental health support for our students including support from our County.

Academically, we have been focused on Tier 1 instruction in math and literacy. We have engaged in a widespread effort to get as many teachers as possible trained in the science of reading. We embarked on a two-year effort to review, select, and implement a new K-4 math curriculum. The growth in our achievement in math was significant in 2022-2023 due to the implementation of the new math curriculum.

To better support our students we have also added additional academic intervention teachers, an additional English language learning teacher, and an additional special education teacher.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
As previously mentioned, two of the most significant factors in our growth are the focus on the science of reading and the adoption of a new math curriculum. These efforts have been buttressed with significant professional development for the staff. Additionally, we have also been focusing on supporting student mental wellness and behavioral health. As a district, we are working to develop a community school model to support our students and their families. We host literacy and math nights several times a year. These evenings include sharing a meal and then students proudly showing their caregivers what they are learning along with teachers helping the caregivers better understand how to support learning at home.

Last, but not least, our entire staff’s caring, commitment, and compassion for our students is the foundation for our success.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
The district allocates Title I funds to support our greatest resource, teachers. Having skilled educators able to support our students with targeted interventions has clearly led to student success. This includes providing professional development to our teachers. Additionally, the funding helps us keep classes low to increase our ability to support each and every student’s unique learning needs.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
During the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years, the district focused on culturally responsive and sustaining education related to NYSED’s CR-SE Framework. At the elementary, additional focus was on the science of reading and the implementation of specific strategies and programs (i.e. Road to Reading) to support students learning to read. The school coupled the implementation of a new math curriculum with robust professional development. This included grade-level teacher leaders studying NCTM’s Catalyzing Change in Early Childhood and Elementary Mathematics. The school also invested in professional development for all teachers provided by the publisher of the curriculum.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
As we all know, the COVID pandemic had a major impact on schools. Perhaps one of the good things that came out of this was a renewal in the understanding of the importance of in-person teaching and learning, especially at the elementary level. As we got back to the “new normal” we naturally began to focus on supporting students with their mental wellness and academics. We also were more focused on the value and impact of the time we do have with students in our classrooms. The shift provided a more laser focus on students’ needs.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
In Solvay, we have always been grateful for the strong connection with our community. Our schools are and will continue to be the center of the community. We have a strong and supportive Parent Teacher Organization that supports our school and students.

Additionally, we are always working to improve our connection and service to the community. We have been working to incorporate a community school model and are seen by our families as a source of support for them. We have worked to build a collaborative and supportive relationship with our community and see them as key partners in supporting students.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 4
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 10,000
    Student Enrollment: 440
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 9.5%
    White/Caucasian: 70.4%
    Hispanic: 12.2%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.5%
    Asian: 1.2%
    Native American: 1.4%
    Other: 4.9%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 65%
    % ELL Learners: 11.8%
    Founded: 1914
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Christine Miczan
  • CONTACT:
    701 Woods Road
    Solvay, NY 13209
    315-488-5422
    cmiczan@solvayschools.org