• Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: k - 3
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 3,600
    Student Enrollment: 487
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1.7%
    White/Caucasian: 89.6%
    Hispanic: 4.8%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.4%
    Native American: 0.2%
    Other: 3.3%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 52%
    % ELL Learners: 2%
    Founded: 1928
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jenny Risher
  • CONTACT:
    15 Eagle Street
    Vilonia, AR 72173
    501-796-2112
    Jenny.Risher@ViloniaSchools.org
Vilonia Elementary School
Vilonia, AR
"Our success comes from our dedicated teachers and determined students working together to exceed grade-level goals!"
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Vilonia Elementary was recognized by the state of Arkansas for academic growth for the past 2 years. We were awarded almost $100,000 for being named 15th in the state in Overall Growth (5th in our region) and 5th in the state for ELA Growth (1st in our region).
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Our success is attributed to the determination and dedication of our teachers and the hard work our students put in to make sure that we are meeting grade level benchmark goals. Our teachers revisit our essential standards each year as they prepare to attack the standards focusing on strong Tier One instruction with an intentional and student focused intervention block built into each day's schedule. Teachers collaborate on all tiers of instruction and work as a team to address individual student needs whether they are in their own class or with a colleague. Teachers work with our math instructional facilitator to make sure that all standards are covered within the curriculum and create supplements where needed. The facilitator also works with new teachers or those who need support. Our district also places an emphasis on student attendance and our school creates incentives for those students who have perfect attendance each month.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has played a crucial role in the success of VES. We are able to employ instructional facilitators who observe, model and coach teachers. They also meet with them to disaggregate data and make plan to address the needs that the data indicates. We also use the funding to support our science instruction through the purchase of Mystery Science and Generation Genius. Teachers use these as a supplement to address the increasing emphasis on science. We were also able to hire a reading interventionist. She meets with students in every grade level and they are grouped according to the needs shown on the Atlas assessment or other grade level data. Groups are fluid and the students are reassessed every two weeks in order to determine growth. We have instructional assistants who also work in grades K- 2nd and provide support as prescribed by the classroom teacher. For students who still need additional support at the end of the year, we are able to offer summer school.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Each year teachers are provided professional development opportunities where they look at data and determine if they need to make changes to the essential standards. They work with instructional facilitators and district leaders to make any shifts in Tier One instruction that may be necessary. They are also given support in using data to drive instruction through a designated team time each week. They have also been trained in the Science of Reading, Benchmark Literacy, Illustrative Math, Gizmos, 95% Group and Leader in Me.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
In the last several years the focus on collaboration has increased with an emphasis on grade level intervention time. Teachers in all grades "share" their students in order to address needs more efficiently and effectively. These could be grade level skills or skills that should have been mastered in previous grades.
In addition to that, third grade teachers have dedicated a 30 minute period a day to "Instructional Focus." During this time students are divided by levels to address a grade level skill that will be tested as an essential standard at the end of the year. The students are spread out among the teachers according to need and complete activities to improve their proficiency on the targeted skill.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Although we are in a small rural community, the support of the parents, businesses and community members is immense. We have a very active PTVO which supports students and teachers throughout the year. During our STEM nights and other parent events the participation is unmatched. Our local businesses provide support through donations, speaking at events or in classrooms, and rewards for students. Our donation drive fundraiser each year is a huge success and allows us to provide students with a variety of opportunities and events throughout the year. Parents are essential to the success of this fundraiser and our fire department even provides a ride through town in the fire truck and trip to McDonalds for our top winners. The success of our students is important to the future of our town and the support of the community shows their dedication to that success.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: k - 3
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 3,600
    Student Enrollment: 487
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 1.7%
    White/Caucasian: 89.6%
    Hispanic: 4.8%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.4%
    Native American: 0.2%
    Other: 3.3%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 52%
    % ELL Learners: 2%
    Founded: 1928
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jenny Risher
  • CONTACT:
    15 Eagle Street
    Vilonia, AR 72173
    501-796-2112
    Jenny.Risher@ViloniaSchools.org