Oak Grove
Elementary School is a School
with High Expectations where students,
parents, and staff work together to ensure that each
student strives to reach his/her full potential as a
learner, friend, and citizen.
This
information is based upon a synopsis of Oak Grove's most recent SACS report. To
view the full report, contact Oak Grove.
1. Student and Community Demographic Data
The total enrollment of Oak Grove
Elementary School as of December 2004 is 464. The number of
students eligible for free and reduced lunch is 26.4%. This number is
the highest among all elementary schools in Peachtree City and the
second highest among all schools in Fayette County. Our student
population is racially and ethnically diverse.
The students of Oak Grove Elementary School
are residents of a planned suburban community with a population of
35,000. The economic, social, and cultural dimensions have changed from a
quiet community to a fast-paced, small city that is highly desirable to
newcomers to our state and our country. Service and industry jobs have
brought new families to the city through employment.
The Oak Grove community is comprised of
families across a broad socioeconomic and educational range. The
community has a mix of service industry, manufacturing, and retail
business. The largest occupational fields are airline and service
industries. During the 2002-2003 school year 28% of the school’s students
came from families considered economically disadvantaged.
In 1995 the community surrounding the
school was modified by the addition of high density housing, of which 180
units qualified for federal housing subsidies. In 2004 portions of
another apartment complex within Oak Grove’s attendance area was
designated as federally subsidized housing. This has caused Oak Grove to
experience an increase in transience, single parent working households,
and blended extended families.
2. School Characteristics
Since opening its
doors in January 1986, Oak Grove Elementary School has distinguished
itself as one of Fayette County’s most unique and respected schools. As
a K-3 primary school for its first six years and a K-5 school for the
past fourteen years, our school community enjoys a rich tradition of
student diversity and high achievement. In 1991 the school system
designated Oak Grove as Fayette County’s first cluster school for
elementary Japanese students with limited English proficiency. Oak
Grove currently serves children in grades K through 5, as well as
housing a Title 1 preschool program and two self-contained special needs
preschool classes. Staff members provide a variety of special education
classes and service models at all grade levels. As the student
population and community continue to change, Oak Grove strives to
challenge students while extending support to help children reach their
potential.
Fifty-three certified educators and fifteen classified paraprofessionals
collaborate to meet the needs of our diverse student population. A
principal, assistant principal, and a counselor are included in this
number. Sixty-eight percent of the certified personnel hold advanced
degrees, with nine persons having specialist’s degrees, and twenty-six
persons having master’s degrees. Of the seventeen teachers holding a
bachelor’s degree, seven are currently enrolled in a master’s degree
program Oak Grove also benefits from the leadership of two
instructional support teachers, one for reading and one for math.
Oak Grove's staff has instituted an effective system of communication
through the structure of groups such as Leadership Team, Reading
Committee, Grant Writing Committee, and School Improvement Teams. Meeting in smaller groups
assures sharing from all members of the school. In addition, monthly
faculty meetings are held where feedback to the school at-large is
addressed.
The Oak Grove facility has
40 regular classrooms, five small group classrooms, a cafeteria,
gymnasium, media center, and two commons areas. Some classes have been
housed in trailers in the past, but during the 2003-2004 school year only
one trailer is used for small group instruction. The outside of the
building has two garden spots for small group gatherings. These areas
include a butterfly garden with outdoor seating and a rock/flower garden
with benches. Our playground was recently refurbished with new equipment,
ground cover, and fencing. Eagle Scouts from our community have built an
outdoor classroom, playground benches, and trash receptacles on the school
property. A one-fifth mile track was installed for use by physical
education classes and the Running Club. Other improvements to the
facility over the past five years include a marquee sign, additional
parking, and landscaped entrances.
At Oak Grove, we believe technology
provides us with another tool to prepare our students to become lifelong
learners. By integrating technology into our classrooms, we provide
better and more meaningful ways to engage our students. Students learn
invaluable computer skills such as how to utilize word processors,
databases, spreadsheets, and drawing and painting programs.
Internet-based research allows students to produce products such as Power
Point presentations, illustrations, and writing projects. Students also
have the opportunity to learn about other technologies such as digital
cameras, interactive white boards, and scanners. We are working to
increase the hardware and software available to teachers and students.
Most classrooms have a minimum of two-networked multimedia PCs. The
school houses a multimedia computer lab with 26 student workstations. All
networked workstations have access to the Internet and software programs
loaded through the network server. We are presently seeking further
funding to provide interactive white boards, update hardware and software,
and provide projection devices for our classrooms. Most faculty members
are trained in Integrating Technology, successfully implementing
technology into daily instructional activities.
During the five-year period of 1999-2003,
Oak Grove has served over 500 students per year within heterogeneously
grouped classrooms. Twenty-four percent of students received instruction
support through EIP. Thirteen percent of students received specialized
instruction through special education, both in the resource setting and
through the collaborative model. The ESOL program supported the
instructional needs for 30 students with limited English proficiency. The
gifted program delivered instruction to 16 percent of students through a
pull-out model in which students focus on thematic instructional units and
the development of higher order thinking skills.
Georgia’s Quality Core Curriculum (QCC)
guides instruction at Oak Grove Elementary School. Oak Grove implements
instructional programs, materials, and practices as prescribed by the
Fayette County Board of Education. In addition to what is required by the
Board of Education, Oak Grove participates in additional instructional
programs such as Accelerated Reader and DISTAR, a program using volunteer
staff members who work one-on-one with struggling readers. Students in
grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 can receive additional instructional support through
the After School Reading and Math (ARM) program. Opportunities for
student participation exist in the classroom through events such as Battle
of the Books, spelling and geography bees, Accelerated Reader, and poetry
recitations. Extracurricular activities for students include chorus,
chime choir, band, Science Olympiad, Math Bowl, and Current Events News
Bowl.
Oak Grove has an active
involved community. The PTO raises funds to provide programs to enhance
and support existing instructional programs. Community members
participate as volunteers in tutoring programs and mentoring programs, as
judges at competitive events, and as presenters. An officer from the
Peachtree City police department facilitates the Drug/Alcohol Resistance
Education (DARE) program for fifth graders. The After School Program
provides homework help and enjoyable activities for children of working
parents. Support and assistance for families in need is generated through
the C.A.R.E. team. Community support also comes from our Partners in
Education. Parents and members of the business community serve on our
local school council, along with the principal and several teachers.
3. Student Performance Data
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (I.T.B.S.) and the Cognitive Abilities
Test (CogAT) are the recognized national level comparisons of student
performance in Georgia. The State of Georgia funds the full battery for
the I.T.B.S. in grades three and five, and results for these grades
include scores for Social Studies, Science, and Sources of Information
as well as Reading, Language, and Math.
State mandated
Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCTs) are administered to grades
1 through 5. These tests measure student mastery of specific criteria.
Rather than being compared to other students, each student's performance
is compared to a set of criteria: the state mandated Quality Core
Curriculum (QCC).
The Georgia Writing Assessments are administered in grades three and
five each year. Another criterion-referenced test
is the Georgia Kindergarten Assessment Program (GKAP-R), which is
administered to all kindergarten students each year.
*For more
specific information on these assessments, contact the administration at
Oak Grove.
