September 26, 2024
ECU Community School Updates (2023-2024)
ECU Community School exceeds expected academic growth
The East Carolina University Community School had several reasons to celebrate with the release of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) school performance data. This year marks the first in the school’s history that it exceeded growth expectations.
“Seeing that exceed for the first time makes my heart very happy because the staff members and the students put in a tremendous amount of work, but it’s also our families stepping up to the plate and helping us and the university at large,” said Tracy Cole, ECU Community School principal.
Of just over 2,500 schools awarded performance scores by NC DPI, only 28% exceeded overall school growth. The ECU Community School opened in August 2017 as part of an initiative created by the UNC System to open laboratory schools across the state as training sites for future teachers and administrators. UNC System laboratory schools are designed to work with children who are either academically at-risk or zoned to attend a low-performing school.
“We are incredibly proud of the ECU Community School for exceeding growth expectations,” said Dr. André Green, dean of the College of Education (COE). “This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teachers, the staff, the students and their parents. The collaborative efforts within the school and with Pitt County Schools have not only fostered academic success, but also reflect the true spirit of our mission in the College of Education — to serve and uplift our community through innovation and partnership.”
The school also exceeded growth in mathematics, which Cole attributes to new initiatives launched by COE faculty in mathematics education. Associate professor in mathematics education Carrie Lee dedicated more than 20 hours a week to engage with the school’s math curriculum.
“She talked with teachers about best practices in mathematics,” Cole said. “She provided professional development sessions for us, where we looked at North Carolina’s math standards to make sure, for example, in second grade, here are the things that should be taught and how, and this is what they learned in first grade before they got to you, and what they will learn in third grade.”
After these sessions, Lee and school staff concluded that an updated math curriculum was needed, so she worked with two companies to set up information sessions with school staff. This year, the new curriculum will be implemented with math education faculty providing professional development for Community School teachers on how to best implement the new materials.
In addition to the enhanced math initiatives, the school continued the work implemented over the last few years in reading and literacy, which led to the school meeting growth for reading.
“The work of our education faculty is vital to the continued success of the Community School,” Green said. “Their expertise plays a key role in fostering a culture of care and academic excellence within the school. By collaborating closely with the school’s teachers and staff, they ensure our students receive the support and resources they need to thrive. Our goal is to see improvement every year, and together we are working hard to take the school to the next level in both academic performance and community impact.”
The school’s overall performance grade also rose eight points from last year’s score, putting it only seven points away from earning a B, a continuation of the school’s growth over the last several years. During the 2021-22 academic year, the school increased its proficiency score from an F rating to a D, and increased it again during the 2022-23 academic year to a C.
“I’m thankful to the families for allowing us to work with and serve their children. I’m thankful to the entire faculty and staff at the Community School,” Cole said. “I’m thankful to ECU for continuing to pour into us and believe in us and help to meet us at our point of need, and our community organizations. We can’t do the work we do without all those stakeholders.”
Faculty from the College of Education will continue working at the school this year. Cole noted that she begins working with various community organizations in the spring and early summer to plan initiatives.
“When the teachers returned, we talked about getting in contact with families early on,” she said. “For open house night, 88% of our families attended, which is a great turnout. We’re making plans for curriculum night where families will be able to take a deep dive into what’s happening in the respective grade levels. Those are ways we reach out and talk with families to make sure they have an awareness of what’s going on. When we have the families on board and the community on board, great things happen.”
Experiential learning opportunities offer science, literacy knowledge
ECU Community School students participated in multiple growth opportunities this year from after-school tutorial programs to field trips.
A grant from the Lookout Foundation supported an after-school tutorial program for first-fourth grade scholars. The tutoring program used evidence-based practices to promote development of skills in phonics and word analysis, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.
The Community School has participated in the Pitt County Regional Elementary Science Olympiad competition for the last three years. During the 2023-2024 school year, they competed with 19 other public and private elementary schools across the county. The Community School placed in three categories: 3rd Place-Thrill Seekers; 5th Place-Ping Pong Parachute; 6th Place-Pasta Tower.
Through grants and generous donors, scholars have taken part in amazing field trips. Scholars visited the N.C. Zoo at Asheboro, the Marble Kids Museum, and the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Further, the Community School’s scholars have visited ECU’s Culinary Center, ECU’s Student Center, and ECU’s Teaching Resource Center.
To foster a greater sense of community, ECUCS established a HOUSE system during the 2023-2024 school year. Faculty, staff, and scholars across all grade levels were randomly assigned to five different houses-Buccaneers, Swashbucklers, Iron Hook, Peg Legs, and Patches. Throughout the year, scholars took part in lessons on developing their team building and social/emotional skills.
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