Apollo Elementary School

School Information

School Name: Apollo Elementary School
School Address: 3085 Knox McRae Dr. Titusville, FL
School Phone: 321.267.7890
School Fax: 321.267.3838
Principal: Pamella O'Kell
Principal email: O'Kell.pamella@brevardschools.org
Web Address: http://www.apollo.brevard.k12.fl.us/

Demographics

Number of Students: 750
Number Eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch: 47%
Percent of Limited English Proficient: 1%
Percent of Special Education: 25%
Racial/Ethnic Percentages:

• White: 871 %
• Black: 16 %
• Hispanic: 6 %
• Asian/Pacific Island: 3 %
• Other: 4 %

Student Achievement Data

Data based on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)

The FCAT is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida.

Grade 3	2008	2009	2010	2011
Reading	76	78	87	82 (72)
Math	81	84	84	84 (78)

Grade 4	2008	2009	2010	2011
Reading	84	80	82	76 (71)
Math	81	83	80	78 (74)

Grade 5	2008	2009	2010	2011
Reading	80	82	76	70 (69)
Science	63	73	64	57 (51)
Math	76	81	79	58 (63)

Grade 6	2008	2009	2010	2011
Reading	84	94	88	83 (67)
Math	75	77	85	82 (57)

Please feel free to comment on any aspect of the data that you feel is particularly significant. 

The data indicates that Apollo's scores over a six-year period exceed the state's averages in all subject areas, showing a trend of continuous improvement.

Please present additional information that indicates your efforts to build a professional learning community have had a positive impact on students and/or teachers.

As a result of implementing a PLC, Apollo continues to receive a School-grade of ”A“ and AYP for 2004–2008. Our efforts have insured shared leadership with a shared vision. Teachers share the responsibility of disaggregating the data, joining together to identify strengths and weaknesses to positively impact student learning. This fosters supportive conditions for a PLC.

Please elaborate strategies you have found to be effective in the following areas:

1. Monitoring student learning on a timely basis.

The development of a PLC at Apollo began through a school initiative where teachers and administration analyzed student data. State, district, and school assessments were analyzed in an effort to develop instructional strategies to help students achieve mastery of the Sunshine State Standards. Through shared involvement and collective consideration, all students are given the support needed for success to meet their personal learning goals. Monitoring students through weekly team meetings provide teachers with the information necessary adjust individual and small group instruction. Formal and informal assessments are ongoing to monitor student progress such as: running records, weekly selection tests, unit benchmark tests, district assessment, parent contacts, FAIR, SRI, and classroom performance. Continuous data analysis is an important strategy for monitoring student learning on a timely basis. After recording significant academic data, a PMP (Progress Monitoring Plan) is generated for specific areas of concern. National Board Certified Teachers and Curriculum Contacts provide professional development opportunities to the faculty. This fosters a more cohesive community and offers support for all stakeholders.


2. Creating systems of intervention to provide students with additional time and support for learning.

Administration, faculty, and staff work collaboratively to provide immediate intervention to struggling students. PMP's are developed to insure a systemic approach to provide students with the additional time and support for learning. All students receive quality core instruction using research based materials and best instructional practices including differentiation and blocks of uninterrupted instruction. Students are invited to participate in after-school mentoring programs. These programs provide remediation and assists students to become independent learners. Apollo teachers continue to learn together to address specific learning needs.


3. Building teacher capacity to work as members of high performing collaborative teams that focus efforts on improved learning for all students.

Apollo teachers learn and grow together as they continuously develop ways to improve student performance. We agree that high expectations in classroom practices and strategies improve student achievement. Apollo's Reading Leadership Team provides a Fail-Safe Literacy Plan. Teachers disaggregate data, diagnose situations, and develop exemplars for giving students extra time and support during the school day. These strategies include: guided reading, one-on-one instruction, FCRR literacy centers, storyboards, SRI Reading Mastery, FCAT Explorer, Accelerated Reader, Soliloquy for ESE students, Ticket to Read (focusing on the five components of literacy), differentiated small-group instruction, literature circles, graphic organizers, thinking maps, and integrated curriculum, student-generated questioning, and collaborative learning (PLC's within the classroom). Volunteers, parents, and teaching assistants help tutor students, along with the teacher. Apollo is widely recognized for having strong parental and volunteer involvement. Common assessments include: Benchmark tests, FAIR, DAR, DRA, ERDA II, PASI/PSI, Early Reading Intervention, STAR Literacy Surveys, and Running Records. In addition, the Media Specialist is on a flexible schedule. This provides more opportunities for her to collaborate with teachers in order to assist students' individual needs. Apollo's School Advisory Council allocates funds to support professional development that address student needs. National Board Certified Teachers share research and effective teaching and learning strategies. Teachers are enthusiastic about sharing the knowledge they acquire though continuous quality professional development. Teachers are proactive on a daily basis in collaborating with each other to improve learning and instruction.

List awards and recognitions your school has achieved

• A + Florida School Recognition Governor's Award
• Five Star School
• Five Star Cafeteria
• Golden Seal Award for Volunteerism
• Gold Key for Outstanding Before and After school
• Florida Demonstration School
• Excellence in Physical Education
• Florida Power Library
• Environmental in Keep Brevard Beautiful