Our school promotes a positive learning environent for students by implementing a variety of programs practices. Rigorous Instruction Driven by Collaboration, addresses the achievement gap at Nye Elementary. After looking at California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) results and other district benchmark assessments along with additional classroom data, Nye recognized the need to collaborate in order to plan and produce precise instruction that zeroed in on individual students' needs in both literacy and mathematics. We were able to pinpoint specific areas of needs for our students based upon California State Standards. Through grade level collaboration we were able to more deeply analyze data to differentiate instruction and explicitly address the needs of our target groups. It became clear that teaching practices had to change in order to focus more closely on the essential strands of the standards. Collaboration enables teachers to share ideas, discuss best practices, and implement the necessary changes based upon data analysis.
Exemplary behavior is recognized with positive comments, awards, stickers, public recognition, reward time at the counseling center, and a mention in the PTA newsletter. Counselors provide opportunities for students to learn good work habits, develop problem-solving skills, resolve conflicts, and enhance self-esteem.
Parents are informed about and invited to give input on these practices through SSC/SGT, Parent Bulletins, PTA, and informal conferences with teachers. Most importantly, however, parents are welcomed into the school. Here, they can see the results of rigorous planning of instruction first hand.
Class Size
To ensure each student receives an appropriate level of individual attention and support, class sizes are kept as small as possible. In grades K-3, each class has a maximum of 24 students. This is possible in part through funding provided by California's K-3 Class Size Reduction program which began in 1996.
Diversity
The mixture of cultures and languages of our students results in diverse classrooms and additional opportunities for learning, teamwork and appreciation of one another.