By Jaime North
LAURELTON -- Nestled in the far western end of Union County, where students' bicycles outnumber teachers' vehicles in the parking lot, the Laurelton Elementary School easily could be overlooked.
No longer.
The tiny, rural school with 70 students and four teachers soon could be put on the national map as a Blue Ribbon School, honored by the U.S. Department of Education for its academic performance under the No Child Left Behind legislation.
The school recently was selected by the state as one of 13 schools in the running for a Blue Ribbon Award, which is given to schools across the country that meet criteria relating to assessment testing and overall academic achievement.
If honored, Laurelton would become just the fourth Valley school to receive a Blue Ribbon Award since the program began in 1982. The Riverside and Montandon elementary schools were honored in 2005, and the Donald H. Eichhorn Middle School in Lewisburg was the first in 2002.
Among its credentials, the Laurelton school has made adequate yearly progress every year since No Child Left Behind went into effect in 2003-04 and had 83 percent of its third-graders reach proficiency in reading assessment and all of them reach proficiency in math last year.
The 2007-08 targets were 56 percent proficient in math and 63 percent proficient in reading, according to the state Department of Education. The annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment evaluates third- through eighth-graders and 11th-graders.
Laurelton, one of four Mifflinburg Area School District elementary schools, has classes for kindergarten through third grade. Principal Leo Weidner said the Blue Ribbon nomination is a reflection of all grades and staff, as well as a boost for small schools.
"Sometimes, there are thoughts in our (community) that smaller schools don't offer as much as larger schools," he said. "Hopefully, this recognition shows it all boils down to the quality of staff and the work of the students."
Weidner said the school's efficiency begins with its teachers.
"They do an excellent job tuning in with the students," he said. "They work very closely with the parents and connect very well with the students, often knowing what they will need to do with each student before they reach their grade."
Weidner added: "Where kindergarten leaves off, first grade picks right up the next year. Each grade knows what to expect at the next level by the end of the year, so our students are very prepared."
Laurelton's success can be attributed to teachers being flexible and adjusting with students throughout the year, according to Kelly Sheesley, first-grade teacher.
"We take a differentiated approach to learning since no two students are alike," Sheesley said. "A scaffolding approach to learning allows us to build on students' prior knowledge. We work together to move the students to the next level of learning."
According to Brett Derr, second-grade teacher, being a small school has its benefits.
"We know our kids' strengths and weaknesses very well," he said. "Working together and sharing ideas allows each child to reach their maximum potential. We're able to differentiate our instruction for each child in order to produce these results."
The announcement of schools earning Blue Ribbon awards will be in September, according to Aba Kumi, director of the Blue Ribbon Schools Program for the U.S. Department of Education. Two other regional schools were nominated: Beaver-Main Elementary in Bloomsburg and the Montgomery Elementary School, Montgomery.
For information, including lists of past winners, visit www.ed.gov.
n E-mail comments about this article to jnorth@dailyitem.com.
