Frank L. Huff Elementary School
253 Martens Avenue
Mountain View, CA, 94040-3220
Ms. Heidi Smith, Principal at time of Nomination
Mountain View Whisman School District
Huff Elementary School is a safe, creative, nurturing learning environment for all students that encourages risk taking, fosters grit, incites curiosity, and inculcates an appreciation for diversity. A Huff education embeds 21st Century skills and opportunities for social and emotional growth into every facet of students learning experiences in the hopes of supporting the development of college, career, and community ready digital citizens.
- Black/African American: 1%
- White: 40%
- Hispanic: 12%
- Asian: 32%
- Two or more races: 15%
- ELL: 21%
- Economically Disadvantaged: %
Anchored in the mantra “All Children are our Children,” and nestled in Silicon Valley, Frank L. Huff Elementary School is a representative of the multicultural and diverse makeup of the state of California. The rich linguistic and ethnic composition of students connects to origins of approximately thirty-seven different countries with thirty-two languages other than English spoken in the homes of families. This international, global perspective adds to the overall teaching and learning experience and has become the hallmark of a Huff education.
Huff is comprised of many stakeholders that include active and supportive parents, community organizations, and a dedicated staff. Huff continues to successfully support the learning of all students regardless of the wide range of socioeconomic status, ethnic diversity, and academic needs. Although this is a challenge, a point of pride is the consistent growth of advanced learners and the growing number of English Language Learners performing at or above native English speakers' proficiency levels on state assessments.
Faithful implementation of the Write Tools curriculum has supported our focus on writing across all content areas by providing a strong foundation in the writing process. Science notebooks and writing to explain math tasks are central to every classroom. A focus on hands-on science and our "Enrichment for All" PTA funded, embedded enrichment programming enhances the learning of every Huff Hawk. Socratic seminar, coding, speech & debate, science lab push-in, and creative writing pilots are among the program's offerings.
Project Cornerstone, Huff’s “Golden Thread,” binds together all of the school’s elements and supports healthy social emotional growth, respect of each learning community member, and fosters a culture of “Huff Love” for learning.