L. Mendel Rivers Elementary School - Altus, OK

L. Mendel Rivers, located on Altus Air Force Base, is part of Altus Public Schools in southwest Oklahoma. We serve 375 military-connected students with a purpose of providing an effective, challenging education for each student. The school utilizes many resources and strategies to help each student achieve his/her maximum potential.

Staff dedication, student work, and parent involvement are instrumental in our success. Rivers's high student turnover rate remains a challenge, but our teachers continually prepare for students entering their classrooms throughout the year from all over the world. Two areas must be addressed when working with military-connected students: First and foremost, we must help students transition to new homes, friends, and schools; then, we must make sure the child is academically working at least on his/her grade level.

Data drives all curricular decisions at Rivers. Research-based assessments are used to identify the students' performance levels and a plan is developed to address strengths and weaknesses. The Altus District provides the latest technology for classrooms, and the Altus Air Force Base has partnered with us in grant-writing opportunities to provide STEM education.

L. Mendel Rivers has positive relationships with Altus Air Force Base and the community. Both provide training, protection, and involvement for school activities. The students at Rivers participate in the community and base programs that support the military and veterans. Rivers takes pride in educating our military-connected students. We place the education of our students first, never accept defeat, never leave a student behind, and guard the American dream.