Waterford.org’s Post

The Inverted Pyramid: Listening Through the District, One School at a Time! Forest Acres Elementary (Easley, SC)   Enjoyed meeting with teachers and the FAES Admin Team!   Our meeting covered four topics: 1. Make It Better - recommendations for improving the district 2. The Strategic Plan - how to achieve our five goals 3. Innovation - what innovative ideas do you have for the school and district 4. The Framework – updates regarding progress on the five year plan for the foundational practices with MTSS/RTI at Work   This concludes the listening sessions at all (14) elementary schools in the district. Love the culture in each school and appreciate the hard work from each employee. A few quick notes - (1) the one word used by our parents, students and community to describe our district from the recent Cognia visit was "SAFE". Maybe that is why we expect 50,000 new people in our county in the next five years. (2) Yesterday was my first visit to a middle school with the inverted pyramid ... I asked the teachers how did you acquire the trust from so many parents to create a school where students feel safe and their reply: the students came to us with a sense of belonging from the elementary schools! What a compliment! (3) We will always tweak our approach each year but our core is solid so we will not be changing too much next year. Listening allows us to grow but to take everyone up the mountain together!! The first two laps (Early Childhood and Elementary) are finished for the Inverted Pyramid. Now we move to the middle school for the third lap! Team73! #EngagingToday #EmpoweringTomorrow

I am resharing a fantastic article highlighting the completion of North Star Elementary, marking the final phase of an innovative educational model on the Iron Range. Check it out! #Kraus-Anderson #Educational design

Words from out Executive director:

The State Charter Schools Commission (SCSC) has approved five new charter schools set to open in Fall 2025, including Columbus/Muscogee County’s first start-up and only charter school, Dominion Purpose Academy (DPA). Columbus, Georgia’s 3rd largest city by population, has long awaited this addition, as other major cities outside Atlanta like Augusta, Savannah, and Macon have had multiple charter schools serving their communities for years. DPA will not only be the first start-up charter school in Columbus, but also the only charter school within an hour's drive of the city. We are excited to see DPA offer a much-needed PUBLIC education option for families in Columbus. While the city continues to thrive with industry and opportunity, it is also home to two of Georgia’s most impoverished zip codes. The three elementary schools closest to DPA’s proposed location have 87% of their combined students scoring below grade proficiency levels in ELA, Math, and Science. One of these schools has only 5% of students reading at grade level proficiency. Now, these families will have a choice, and we are confident that DPA will be a game changer by providing access to a high-quality, innovative charter school. With over 14,000 students on wait lists for charter schools all over Georgia, bringing one to a very large community that lacks options- like Columbus- is a significant win for students and families. I can’t wait to visit Dominion Purpose Academy when it opens in Fall 2025! https://lnkd.in/eaJSMU9Q

What happens when a school district plans today for tomorrow's learners? Join representatives from Barrington 220 School District as they describe their recent planning experience with DLR Group and the outcomes that will serve their community for generations. #educationdesign #planning

The demand for charter schools is reaching unprecedented heights, and the numbers speak volumes. In a groundbreaking revelation, nearly 70% of Americans are expressing a preference for charter schools.  The excitement doesn't stop there – a staggering 2 out of 3 Americans are standing strong in support of opening new charter schools! This surge in demand is a testament to the innovation, choice, and personalized learning experiences that charter schools offer. From embracing unique teaching methods to fostering a collaborative environment, charter schools are reshaping education and giving families a say in their children's future. 🚀 While we celebrate this remarkable trend, let's remember that the journey towards educational excellence is ongoing. We're on the path to ensuring that every student has access to a quality education that nurtures their talents and aspirations. Share your thoughts on the rise of charter schools and the power of choice in education. Together, let's continue advocating for diverse educational options that inspire students to reach for the stars.  #CharterSchoolsRising #EducationRevolution #DemandingExcellence 

Iowa Choice Charter School breaks through barriers 💪 As a Public School, we know how important it is to identify the issues our Students may be dealing with outside the classroom. The more we know, the stronger our initiatives can be as we take action on behalf of and in support of each and every Student! 👏 By sharing the six most common barriers that prevent High Schoolers from graduating, we hope to educate others on what Students may be experiencing during this life stage. Additionally, we hope to provide insight into the factors we consider and work to address in order to best support Students on their educational journey. 👍 #Breakthrough #Barriers #ReduceBarriers #EliminateBarriers #BreakthroughBarriers #PublicSchool #Identify #Address #Issues #StrongInitiatives #TakeAction #HighSchoolGraduation #ProvideInsight #GreaterUnderstanding #Perspective #KnowledgeIsKey #KnowledgeIsPower #StudentSupport #EducationalJourney 

"Honestly, many days of homeschooling were not wonderful. There were times I cried, prayed, and believed I could not keep teaching at home. But the whole experience was wonderful.." - Dyana Robbins Quote taken from the SPED Homeschool article, Reflections on Our Special Education Homeschool Journey #quoteoftheday #specialeducation #homeschoolmom #reallife #spedhomeschool

Charter schools are student-centered and can serve the unique needs of each of their communities in ways that district public schools cannot. In exchange for local autonomy regarding students’ education and wrap-around services, charter schools must meet or exceed the goals laid out in their charter, such as student proficiency and community service. Families often choose public charter schools because they are often run by community leaders and former teachers who want the autonomy to make decisions to best meet the unique needs of their students and their families. Key Academy does just that. https://lnkd.in/gfbZ_AAD #WeAreCharter #Dyslexia #Education #OneSizeDoesNotFitAll #CharterSchools #StudentCentered #PublicCharter #CommunityNeeds #LocalAutonomy #StudentProficiency

Being out in the field visiting VA schools has been such a rewarding experience! 🌟 Each conversation with school leaders has opened my eyes to the incredible things happening in our classrooms. From elementary schools laying foundational stones to innovative CTE programs, and even rethinking middle school structures - the passion for making a difference in students' lives is truly inspiring. Feeling grateful for these insights and excited for what's ahead! If we haven't chatted yet, message me as I would love to hear what you are doing. #EducationJourney #InspiringConversations #MakingADifference 📚💡"