Deron Durflinger, Superintendent/Secondary Principal, Cody Tibbetts, Elementary Principal, Adam Lamoureux, Middle School Principal, and Jen Sigrist Director of Teaching and Learning can be reached at 996-2221.

This report is available on our website at http://vmbulldogs.com.

Consistently high percentage of proficiency

Van Meter students were higher than state averages in percent proficient for almost every grade level assessed in the three content areas. Only 4th grade math and science total percent proficient was below the state average (by 2 and 4 percent). Overall, 87.5% of students in grades 2nd-11th are proficient readers. 90.2% are proficient in math and 87.9% of all 2nd-11th students are proficient in science as measured by the Iowa Assessments.

Early literacy assessments show similar results, indicating that 86.5% of all K-5

students are proficient readers. In the past three years of using these assessments, the district results have gone up from 81% in 13-14.

The district achievement goal for 2015-16 focused on 95% of students making more than one year’s growth or being proficient. Across three content areas, there were eight instances where both goals were met.

Percentages of students who were advanced proficient vary by grade level, but 6 of 9 grade levels were above the 25% advanced proficient mark in reading. Seven of nine grades were above 25% advanced proficient in math. Four of nine grade levels hit that mark in science.

Scores on the ACT show that VM students were at or above state averages in all of the 4 subject areas. 72% of Van Meter students taking the test were above the benchmark in English. 60% of VM students were above the benchmark in math. The average composite score for the 47 Van Meter seniors taking the ACT was 22.6. The state average score was 22.1. In addition, 93% of the 58 graduating seniors

indicated that they intend to pursue post-secondary education or training.

W h i l e s t u d e n t achievement results are high, there is a l w a y s r o o m f o r improvement. The goals for the 16-17

school year will remain the same, and our action steps to impact the results include:

• Continue to expand the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) to grades 6-12. Include co-teaching in classrooms where student need is highest

• Use iReady for K-9 as a web-based tool for assessment and per sonal ized instruction in math and reading.

• Capitalize on the new modular schedule in the secondary to work flexibility with students not meeting standards.

• Explore ways in which writing instruction can be embedded into content area p r o j e c t s t o s u p p o r t r e a d i n g comprehension.

• Move to implement a competency based system that allows students to advance upon demonstrated proficiency.

Personalized learning for each student’s success, today and tomorrow

WelcometoVanMeterCommunitySchoolDistrict

Highly Qualified Staff

Teaching staff = 59

Certified teachers = 100%

0-4 years experience = 27%

5-14 years of experience = 39%

15+ years = 34%

32% with a masters degree/plus

GraduationRate100%

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Quick Facts: - 744 students served - 9.7% Free & reduced lunch - 8.3% Special education - 20 min. west of Des Moines, Iowa

Community Connection

Personalized Professional Development for Teachers

Iowa Assessment Results Van Meter School

Teachers are lead learners. In collaborative teams, professional development is driven by learner needs and supported by teacher leaders. Because we know that the quality of the classroom teacher is key in student learning, professional development provides time for teachers to focus on student learning, collaborate with colleagues, and implement rigorous and relevant curriculum. Through early releases on Friday and team meetings on Wednesday mornings, teachers have three hours a week for professional learning beyond their prep time. This model helps the district in its work towards implementing a personalized system for student learning. As a result, Van Meter is known as a leader in the state for implementing personalized and innovative practices to improve student learning.

Parents are partners in the district’s work to meet the needs of each child. To support the home-school connection, Van Meter Schools provide emails regularly, parent-teacher conferences in fall, and each teacher has an online presence for more classroom information. Infinite Campus, our online student management system, also helps keep track of attendance, grades, and assignments while also providing text message alerts in cases of school cancellations and grade updates.

Van Meter does not report on subgroups like race, socioeconomic status or special education due to insufficient sample size (less than 10 students per grade)

District Highlights- One K-12 Campus with small class sizes - Updated facilitates with flexible learning spaces - Standards Based Grading K-12 focused on learning, not seat time - 1:1 computer/iPad initiative in grades 4-12 - 1:1.5 ratio in elementary including iPads and laptop carts - Access to online, dual credit and advanced courses - Variety of co-curricular activities including 14 varsity sports, fine arts program, clubs & student organizations - Character program stressing positive behavior in elementary (PBIS) - Early literacy instruction and enrichment time to support early readers - Global connections in learning - K-12 Spanish Program - Rigorous Achievement Goals - State leader in Competency Based Learning - Teacher leadership model to support research- based instructional practices

Financial ProfileOther great supporters of the

district include the Van Meter E d u c a t i o n Fo u n d a t i o n a n d Elementary Parents Committee, who raise significant funds for various projects, field trips, and after school c lubs and support addit ional technology purchases. Volunteers in booster clubs for fine arts and athletics also provide the district with resources and support.

Van Meter residents serve on the school improvement advisory committee (SIAC) that meets three times per year ensuring that the district school improvement plans reflect the needs of our community.

Iowa Assessments - Math % Proficient

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade

0 25 50 75 100

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade0 25 50 75 100

Iowa Assessments - Science % Proficient

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

9th Grade

10th Grade

11th Grade

0 25 50 75 100

15-16 14-15

State Money 50%

Federal Money 1%

Misc. Local Money 19%

Local Property Taxes 27%

Income Surtax 4%

General Fund Revenue Sources 2015-16

State Money Federal Money Misc. Local Money Property Taxes Income Surtax

All Salaries and Benefits

79%

Plant Operation 4%

Transportation 1%

Tech/Instructional Materials 7%

Other 9%

General Fund Expenses 2015-16

All Salaries and Benefits Plant Operation

Transportation

Tech/Instructional Materials

Iowa Assessments - Reading % Proficient

New Facilities Support the Vision for Learning

Construction projects were completed in August of 2016. Flexible learning spaces, collaboration areas and a new gymnasium were added. An elementary addition also added classrooms and a collaboration area.

Others Recognize our Successes

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

Van Meter Schools was chosen as one of the top schools in the nation identified as an exemplar model for learning in the 21st century by Partnership for 21st Century Skills. P21 is a group out of Washington D.C. that the state of Iowa has worked with to help develop some of the guidelines for infusing communication, collaboration, creativity, innovation, and other skills in its curriculum and instruction. Check out the full article at: http://www.vmbulldogs.com/district/

Apple Distinguished School Van Meter Secondary School was again chosen as an Apple Distinguished School by providing the unique learning needs of today’s learners. This recognizes the secondary’s success in extending teaching and learning wi th innovat ive implementat ions o f technology. We are continuing to work with Apple in our “What’s Next?” research study group about transformational practices in education.

Technology at Van Meter Technology is seen as a tool to help reach

the district’s innovative vision for teaching and learning. A 1:1 initiative is in place for grades 6-12 where each student has a district laptop assigned. Fourth and fifth graders are assigned an iPad to be used in the classroom. This coupled with a technology rich elementary (1:1.5 ratio) demonstrates steps Van Meter School is taking to ensure our students are prepared for 21st century learning.

Van Meter’s digital literacy curriculum teaches students about internet safety through regularly scheduled classes, integration with classroom instruction and ties with guidance curriculum. With this prevalent access to technology, students regularly collaborate and communicate with students in other schools, states, and even countries.

The Vision of Van Meter Community School District is to empower students to be learners who:

• Communicate • Collaborate • Create and Innovate • Adapt • Solve Problems • Think Globally • Live Ethically • Persevere (Grit)

Our Mission: Personalize learning for each student's success, today and tomorrow.

Commitment to Personalized Education

The community’s support for a new facility greatly benefits how our vision will take shape for the future. In planning for collaborative learning spaces and thinking of student centered classrooms, we can fully meet the needs of all learners. Our district believes that providing students with the best tools enhances the learning opportunities we can provide. Combined with quality instruction focused on the needs and interests of each learner, Van Meter students are educated in an environment that challenges them to meet the demands of an ever changing world.

Learning through Iowa Multi-Tiered System of Supports The Iowa Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), previously called a Response to Intervention (RtI) framework, ensures each student who needs additional supports either for enrichment or for reteaching has the instruction they need to be proficient readers and mathematicians. Van Meter uses this framework K-12. Our teams of teachers, our instructional strategists, the talented and gifted teacher, and special education teachers collaborate around the best ways to deliver instruction based on what our data say students need. This team approach to instruction is more efficient and helps us see the progress of each child as the responsibility of us all. Using this system of supports is just another way we personalize learning for each student.

96.8% of secondary students

responded positively that they knew how

to use digital tools to help them learn.

Jr High & High School Activities

Cadet Teachers One of the many advantages of having a K-12 building is that we can offer programs where older students can serve as mentors and role models to our younger students. The Cadet Program is one such example. High school students are able to serve in the elementary while earning credit towards graduation. It is a win-win for both the younger and older students. The younger students get more help in the classroom and the older students are learning an important lesson in responsibility. The younger students really look up to the older students, bringing our community closer together.

Elementary Clubs Van Meter Elementary School offers a variety of before and after school clubs to help students explore their interests and reinforce skills learned in the classroom. Our students are able to join “Instruction Based Clubs” such as Science, and join “Play and Explore” clubs such as Lego clubs. We also have a “Competition Club” category for groups like Destination Imagination. We encourage parents to volunteer ideas and support additional club offerings.

Van Meter School offers a variety of extra-curricular activities to our students, from academic to athletic. Following is a list of extra-curricular activities offered to our junior high and high school students:

Service Recognition Van Meter School graduates have the opportunity to earn a gold cord in

recognition of their service to the community. The district wants service to be part of the high school experience, and believes students should be recognized for their efforts.

• Band • Jazz Band • Choir • Show Choir • Athletics: Baseball, Basketball,

Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Track, Volleyball, and Wrestling

Being Personalized is More Than Just Small Class Sizes

• Battle of the Books • FCCLA • Student Leadership Team • Yearbook • NHS • Destination Imagination • Theatre (Fall & Spring plays) • Speech & Essay Contest

A personalized education isn’t something we want for just some kids. We believe all kids benefit from a personalized environment in which various activities are happening at the same time; learners are exploring, working on projects, collaborating in small groups, discussing, researching and writing. Students have unique ways of showing what they have learned and we tailor our instruction to meet the learning needs of each child. Teachers utilize large group and small group formats for instruction and learning happens throughout the building.

College Credit Course OfferingsThrough collaborative efforts with Iowa Learning Online, DMACC,

Kirkwood, Graceland, Iowa State, University of Iowa STEM program, Central Academy, Waukee APEX program, and Madison County Academy, Van Meter is able to offer students classes in almost any area they are interested in. Examples include, but are not limited to: Virtual Reality, Project Lead The Way, Culinary Arts, Construction, Engineering, and Advanced Placement classes.

Personalized. Innovative. Global. Van Meter Schools.

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Growth in Enrollment

2014 2015 2016

# of Students (Oct. 1st)

675 728 744

# of Increase

23 53 16

% of Growth 4% 8% 2%

Van Meter continues to see growth in student enrollment. The past ten years

have shown an increase in the number of students served. Enrollment for the 16-17 school year indicates 744 registered students. In the elementary, each grade level has 49 - 67 students with 3 sections per grade. Class size is typically around 16-22 for K-2 classes and 18-23 for upper elementary classes. At the Secondary level, total grade size ranges from 49 to 71 students. Class size varies by content and course.

K-12 Spanish

The curriculum for every student in grades K-8 includes Spanish instruction every day from a certified and fluent Spanish teacher. We expect students e n t e r i n g h i g h s c h o o l t o b e conversationally fluent in Spanish. Students in grades 9-12 have the option to take Spanish as a high school elective to further develop their second language. To meet a globally competitive market, we know our students need to be globally aware. Learning another language is just one step to becoming a global citizen.

85% of VM students are involved in clubs, sports, fine arts.