National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

All faculty, students, and families believe the following and put them into practice every day: We believe that teaching is most effective when content is strategically planned and mapped out prior to instruction. We believe that student learning is most accurately described when it is based on mastery of content area standards. We believe that all students are capable of learning, deserve opportunities for academic success, and learn best when the content, process, and product are appropriately differentiated for individual needs. We believe that early intervention to support foundational skills is necessary to closing the achievement gap. We believe that students can become skilled and adaptable readers and writers when the study of any given subject area is rooted in literacy and critical thinking. We believe that every teacher takes responsibility for every student, regardless of whether or not we teach him/her; with a unified purpose and understanding, we will successfully achieve our mission. We believe that students learn best when there are clear, reasonable, and consistently upheld expectations and structures. When expectations are not met, they are paired with logical consequences and dealt with respectfully and promptly. We believe that when students belong to a safe, supportive, and joyful community, they will work and behave in the best way possible. We believe that faculty, students, and families share responsibility for academic achievement and proper conduct; however, as teachers, we recognize that we must sometimes be and do more in order to create a successful learning environment for each student.