• Category 3

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 761
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 20.1%
    White/Caucasian: 28.2%
    Hispanic: 44.4%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 2.9%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 4.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:0
    % Reduced Lunch: 51.5%
    % ELL Learners: 34%
    Founded: 2007
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Julie Buntich
  • CONTACT:
    813 Beginners Trail Loop
    Chester, VA 23836
    804-541-4660
    Julie_Buntich@ccpsnet.net
Elizabeth Scott Elementary School
Chester, VA
Our school community is “all in” and willing to support our students and families with academic and physical needs.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Elizabeth Scott Elementary School consistently performs in the top 15% of all Chesterfield County Public Schools on state testing. CCPS has 40 elementary schools that contain a wide range of demographics which makes student performance even more impressive. Gaps in subgroups (race, economically disadvantaged, ELs) are within 5% points of each other and overall score. Scott is the first school in the county to implement a two-way Spanish dual language program. Data reflects that our DLI students are demonstrating higher executive functioning skills, higher academic achievement, and higher socio-intercultural competence compared to their peers. Our school community is “all in” and willing to support our students and families with academic and physical needs.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Relationships are the key to influencing the instructional and leadership capacity of the staff. At our school, the administration gets to know the staff on a personal, as well as professional level. This enables them to identify each person’s strengths, understand what motivates them, and learn about shared values. These common values have created a positive culture where everyone is motivated, supportive, committed to lifelong learning, and collaborates to reach a common goal. Collaboration at our school is an expectation, not an option. The administration is upfront and honest about this culture of collaboration with potential staff members. They make it a priority to share the values and vision of the school so they understand what it would look like to work if they were to accept a position at the school. This honesty helps hire staff members who would be a good fit for the school. It also helps sustain the cohesive, nurturing environment that enhances the vision of our school.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
We want every child in our school who needs extra support to receive it. Therefore, we focus our funding on people. Two math coaches and one reading coach work with teachers and students to enhance learning experiences. Coaches assist teachers in creating weekly lesson plans, understanding the curriculum and the strategies students need to use to learn it. They also work directly with students in small groups to provide extra support for individual student learning. Tutors are hired during school hours to also work with students one-on-one or in small groups. Secondly, we focus spending on math manipulatives and relevant text that support student learning. There is never a time our students go without materials they need to continue to grow academically. Lastly, ESEA funds are used for family engagement events that are frequently attended by hundreds of people. Students (and often younger siblings) leave these events with at least one book and a math game they can enjoy at home.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
We value and prioritize our Professional Learning Communities at Scott. Grade-level PLCs are scheduled bi-weekly and all teachers who work with students are expected to attend. In addition, we have PLC meetings for ESOL teams, DLI teams, and collaborative teams. Administration is present for each PLC as well as our instructional designer, literacy specialist, and math coaches. We are firm believers that solid core instruction will yield the academic growth we want to see so our PLCs focus on real-time instructional practices and strategies that can be implemented immediately. Our teachers always walk away with the resources and materials they need to get started. The climate and culture in these meetings is such that teachers are comfortable sharing their ideas and asking questions as necessary. Administrators make an effort to be present throughout the school and visit each classroom daily which allows us to keep a pulse on students as well as make observations that will be PLCs.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Our overall school culture has been positive for many years due to the amazingly talented teachers and support staff who willingly go above and beyond to support each other and students. With the start of our DLI program, there has been a noticeable difference in the energy and enthusiasm within our building which is a direct result of having a significant number of Hispanic teachers who are proud of their respective cultures and are not afraid to share. Consequently, our Hispanic students have shown more pride in their own heritage and are more comfortable speaking Spanish in school and sharing their family history and experiences. Our Hispanic families are more engaged in their children's education and participate more in evening events. Our students are exposed to a diverse community and there is an appreciation of different cultures, traditions, and languages
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Our school has a long-standing relationship with the local YMCA and various community organizations that support after-school tutoring for our Hispanic students. Tutoring takes place in an instructional cottage purchased and managed by these businesses within one of our mobile home neighborhoods. With transportation no longer an issue, more students are able to participate in the tutoring program. Scott also has strong partnerships with local churches that provide bags of food for families who need additional support over the weekend and during the holidays. The relationships we have with the local military installation and high school have created a pool of volunteers we use for many school events. This also provides the opportunity for students to build positive relationships with our local soldiers and also form mentorships with local high schoolers.
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 761
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 20.1%
    White/Caucasian: 28.2%
    Hispanic: 44.4%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 2.9%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 4.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:0
    % Reduced Lunch: 51.5%
    % ELL Learners: 34%
    Founded: 2007
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Julie Buntich
  • CONTACT:
    813 Beginners Trail Loop
    Chester, VA 23836
    804-541-4660
    Julie_Buntich@ccpsnet.net