• Category 2

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 492
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 91%
    Hispanic: 6%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.1%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:13
    % Reduced Lunch: 69%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 1947
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jackie Starks
  • CONTACT:
    3259 Hwy 157
    Judsonia, AR 72081
    501-729-3947
    jstarks@wccbears.org
White County Central Elementary School
Judsonia, AR
"The greatest contributing factor to the positive changes in our school was our intentional focus on personalized intervention and mastery-based instruction."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
One of the key strategies behind our school's success was the implementation of targeted intervention time, specifically designed to address the unique learning needs of our students. By carefully analyzing data and identifying student deficits, we were able to provide individualized support that directly matched their areas of need. Our focused approach not only targeted those critical gaps, but we also ensured that students mastered the state standards by prioritizing them in our daily instruction. This dedication to both remediation and rigorous, standard-based teaching led to significant academic growth, and we are proud to have seen marked improvements in student performance across all grade levels.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The greatest contributing factor to the positive changes in our school was our intentional focus on personalized intervention and mastery-based instruction. By leveraging data to identify each student's specific learning needs, we were able to tailor support and ensure that no student was left behind. Equally important was the culture of collaboration among staff. Our teachers worked together to share best practices, analyze student progress, and make adjustments as needed. This collective commitment toward continuous improvement has been key to our success
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
We utilized our ESEA funding to improve student outcomes by investing in high-quality instructional materials and funding summer school tutoring for students with academic needs. We hired paraprofessionals to support targeted interventions, including specialized assistance for students with dyslexia. Additionally, we brought on an instructional facilitator to guide the implementation of effective teaching practices and provide modeling for K-6 literacy instruction. These efforts, particularly the personalized summer tutoring for struggling students, have been instrumental in addressing learning gaps and ensuring academic success.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
We invested in onsite training for both our phonics curriculum and primary literacy programs, ensuring our teachers had the tools and knowledge to deliver high-quality instruction. Additionally, we worked with district-level teams to align our instruction and standards both vertically and horizontally, creating a cohesive approach across all grade levels. By focusing on Arkansas standards, we were able to better tailor our curriculum to meet the specific needs of our students. We also trained our paraprofessionals in phonics instruction, enabling them to provide effective small-group interventions that support student learning.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
In the past few years, we've experienced a significant cultural shift in accountability at every level—from administrators holding teachers accountable to teachers raising expectations for students, and even parents becoming more engaged. While this transformation took time, once we achieved full buy-in, we saw clear growth in both teacher proficiency and student outcomes.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Our school is located in a rural area, just outside the city limits, serving families from several unincorporated communities. These community members positively impact our students and families. From passing a millage to improve our facilities to providing resources for low-income families, our community is highly engaged. Local organizations and groups contribute food bags, coats, and school supplies, while parents have generously donated both time and money to cover lunch charges and assist students in need. This involvement is reflected in the nearly 100% attendance at events like parent-teacher conferences and community gatherings such as Harvest Fest.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 0
    Student Enrollment: 492
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 91%
    Hispanic: 6%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.1%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:13
    % Reduced Lunch: 69%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 1947
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jackie Starks
  • CONTACT:
    3259 Hwy 157
    Judsonia, AR 72081
    501-729-3947
    jstarks@wccbears.org