Accreditation
The Mission
of Mt. Airy Elementary School is to educate and instill in each student the
desire to meet all of life's challenges in a manner that reflects our school
motto:
If I Think I Can, I can!
Mt. Airy Elementary School became the first Pittsylvania
County School to be recognized by the state of Virginia as fully accredited. In
2001, students at Mt. Airy met the requirements of the state mandated Standards
of Learning assessments.
Students in grade three are tested on their knowledge of the
SOL core subjects: Reading; Writing; Math; Science;
History and Social Science. Fourth grade students are tested on History and Social Science and Math. Students in the fifth grade take SOL tests on Writing, Reading, Math, Science, and
Technology.
After School Tutoring
Students at Mt. Airy Elementary have the opportunity to
participate in after school tutoring. This provides the students with
enrichment as well as remediation in the core subject areas. Teachers provide After School Tutoring
as needs arise. We feel that this extra instruction
has allowed our students to be more successful.
Blue Ribbon School
Mt. Airy was selected as a Blue Ribbon School in 2003 under the
No Child Left Behind Act. The selection process was long and involved but
well worth the effort. We conducted a self-evaluation, allowing teachers,
students, parents and community representatives a chance to assess the
strengths and weaknesses of the school and to develop a strategic plan for future improvement.
Mt. Airy then submitted a written application to a review panel. This
panel then made its recommendation to the U.S. Secretary of Education. We
are very proud to be included in an elite group of schools chosen for this honor.
Homework Policy
The School Board supports the assignment of homework to pupils
when its purpose is to enrich and extend school experiences. To ensure
that homework is a productive learning experience, the following guidelines are
established:
1. Homework assignments must be an extension of
concepts presented in class. Clear, concise instructions must be given and
it is suggested that the assignment will be given only after the teacher has
modeled the skill and provided guided and independent practice.
2. A student's written homework assignments from all
teachers should not exceed more than thirty minutes in grades K-3, not more than
an hour for each student in grades 4-5.
3. Homework should be evaluated promptly and returned
to the student.
4. Credit should be given for completed homework.
Music
Boys and girls at Mt. Airy Elementary School are always actively
involved in music activities. Listening skills are strongly emphasized through
‘moving to music’. Students play rhythm instruments and dance as well as sing in
each music class. Two major performances are presented during the school year.
A winter concert is presented by grades 3-5 and a spring concert is given by grades K-2. Show themes,
including Character Education, Care of our Planet Earth, Patriotism, and SOL
objectives, are typical examples of our musical productions.
Memorization of songs and appropriate choreography are mastered.
Reading First
Reading First
is the largest and most focused
early reading initiative ever undertaken in this country. This program provides
states, districts, and schools with funding to implement scientifically based
reading instruction for students in grades K through 3.
Saxon Math
Saxon Math is a researched-based math program used in grades K-3.
Each day consists of the Meeting Board and a Lesson. Students practice
skills related to the calendar, counting, patterning, mental computation,
temperature, time, money graphing, writing of numbers, fact families, place value
and problem solving during the Meeting Board. Every lesson contains SOL
correlated instructional content. Lessons are very hands on and often use
a variety of manipulatives for students.
Students complete Guided Practice Sheets and Fact Practice
Sheets with the teacher during class to better understand and complete Homework
Practice Sheets and Homework
Fact Sheets. The program supplies a
wide variety of materials to help children discover, practice and review.
Science Fair
Each spring, Mt. Airy holds a science fair that gives each student
in the school an opportunity to participate. Preschoolers, Kindergartners,
First and
Second graders all make a project as a class. Third, Fourth and Fifth graders
implement cooperative learning to complete projects. This is always a
great time to learn the scientific method and have fun at the same time.
Projects range from "Melting Colors" -- trying to
discover which
color ice cube will melt the fastest -- to planting flowers.
SOL Results
2006 Percent Passing
(If a field is blank, the test is not taken during that
grade)
| |
English |
Math |
Science |
History |
Writing |
| Grade 3 |
67.86% |
88.89% |
92.86% |
85.71% |
|
| Grade 4 |
97% |
|
|
94.29% |
|
| Grade 5 |
82.86% |
82.86% |
62.86% |
72.5% |
78.38% |
2007 Percent
Passing
| |
English |
Math |
Science |
History |
Writing |
| Grade 3 |
80% |
96% |
88% |
88% |
|
| Grade 4 |
100% |
93% |
|
100% |
|
| Grade 5 |
78% |
91% |
84% |
68% |
94% |
2008 Percent Passing
| |
English |
Math |
Science |
History |
Writing |
| Grade 3 |
75% |
83% |
75% |
97% |
|
| Grade 4 |
86% |
100% |
|
89% |
|
| Grade 5 |
76% |
88% |
77% |
76% |
92% |
Step Up to Writing
Step
Up to Writing®
features research-based, validated strategies and
activities that help students proficiently write narrative, personal narrative,
and expository pieces. Students actively engage in reading materials for improved
comprehension and demonstrate competent study skills.
Summer School
Each year, Mt. Airy provides students an opportunity for fun and learning during
the summer. This provides an excellent opportunity to improve
reading and math skills through a wide variety of thematic units, i.e. Readers
Theater, manipulatives, etc. Each student that participates finds that they are
ahead when the following school year starts. Please come join us.
