Valhalla Elementary
School Profile
School Website: http://www.fwps.org/val/
27847 42nd Avenue South |
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What is Special About Our School?
Valhalla Elementary, home of the Voyagers, houses approximately 510 students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. Our staff serves all students in a warm and supportive environment as they learn to follow the Valhalla Way to be safe, kind, and productive members of our learning community. In 2009, we will open a brand new, beautiful school currently being built behind our existing building. Staff, students, and parents are eager to open the doors of our new facility.
Our goal for the 2008-2009 school year is to engage all children in meaningful learning at their own instructional level—an important part of our objective to make adequate yearly progress as defined by the Federal No Child Left Behind Legislation. Every day our teachers use a number of researched instructional strategies including whole group, small flexible groups, and one-on-one instruction to reach all students in the many content areas (reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and health). All instruction is aligned with the state Essential Learning Academic Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) to ensure that all students reach grade level standard.
To support teachers in providing the highest quality instruction every day, we have three instructional coaches who work along side teachers to strengthen instructional practice using student data as the basis for reflection and goal setting. The coaches facilitate differentiated professional development to foster a learning community.
Our ELL (English Language Learners) teacher, special education teacher, and other support staff work collaboratively to make certain the instruction delivered to students is cohesive and matched to the students' ability level and state expectations.
Our school-wide learning plan focuses on several goals and practices:
- Helping students reach grade level expectations in reading while developing a love of reading both fiction and non-fiction text
- Teaching students to be mathematical thinkers, fluent in computational strategies, and have the ability to solve complex problems in order to meet state math standards
- Providing support to students through an after-school reading and mathematics program
- Regularly assessing students’ instructional levels and skills in reading and math and basing instruction on the results of these assessments
- Presenting students with meaningful, purposeful assignments that are aligned with Washington State Standards and the students' academic levels
- Providing rich, language acquisition strategies and opportunities for English Language Learners
Parent partnerships are essential to the academic support of our students, and our teachers and support staff work diligently to communicate effectively with parents. Daily homework folders and calendars provide families with the information they need to assist their children in completing assignments at home. Monthly school and classroom newsletters celebrate student successes and keep parents informed about classroom activities, events, and academic focuses. Families are invited to participate in literacy and math evening events and attend our What Every Parent Wants to Know sessions offered 4-times each year.
An outstanding vocal music program provides many opportunities for students to perform and appreciate music. Our music program also features a state-of the-art keyboard lab as well as bell chimes and honor choir programs.
Valhalla’s discipline plan and uniform policy ensure a safe and productive learning environment for all students. Recognition assemblies and the Valhalla Victor Award honor student achievement and good citizenship.
No Child Left Behind Report Card
The No Child Left Behind Act requires all schools and school districts in the United States to prepare annual reports for parents and the public detailing their academic achievement. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction’s web site makes this information available on-line. Find your school’s report card on-line at http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/ Click on Federal Way in the “Summary” box, then choose your school from the list. You may also request a paper copy of the report card at your school’s office. For more information about the NCLB Act, go to http://www.nclb.gov/index.html.
Academic and Student Programs
| AmeriCorps | Librarian |
| Assemblies, Various | Looping Grades and Multi-age Classrooms |
| Breakfast & Lunch Program | Music Program Specialist |
| Counselors or Dean | P.E. Specialist |
| Cross Grade Tutoring | PTA |
| English Language Learners (ELL) Program | Safety Patrol |
| Extended Learning (ELO) | Special Ed Resource Room |
| Grade Level Field Trips | Spec. Ed Self-contained Program |
| GATE Gifted & Talented Program | Student-led Conferences |
| Homework Club House | Summer Reading Program |
| Honor Choir | Summer School |
| Instructional Coaches (3) | Title 1 School |
| Intramurals/After School | Tutoring |
| All Day Kindergarten | Yearbook |
Student Characteristics
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Distribution of Student Ethnicity |
2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| African American | 7.72 | 9.80 | 9.11 |
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Asian American |
14.67 | 15.80 | 15.84 |
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Hispanic |
29.73 | 34.30 | 33.86 |
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Native American |
.39 | 1.00 | 1.19 |
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White |
41.12 | 32.90 | 30.50 |
| Pac Islander | 1.74 | 1.60 | 2.18 |
| Multi-Racial | 4.25 | 3.60 | 4.75 |
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Other Student Characteristics |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
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Number of Students (Oct.) |
504 | 503 | 505 |
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Free/Reduced Meals |
59.9% | 62.3% | 64.0% |
How Are We Using Our Financial Resources?
| Our District | Our School | ||
| “Per Pupil” Expenditures for 2007-08 | Funding | ||
Total Expenditure |
$8,902.00 | Building Expenditures |
$82,285.70 |
Supplies & Instructional Materials |
$512.00 | ASB (Associated Student Body) Expenditures |
$11,922.00 |
Equipment |
$51.00 | ||
How Are Our Students Doing on Required Tests?
Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL)
*Beginning in spring of 2006, the state of Washington requires that the WASL be given at sixth grade.
Percentage Meeting Standard in:
| Grade 3 |
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Math |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
.0 |
68.0 |
67.4 | 74.0 |
District |
.0 |
70.0 |
74.1 | 71.0 |
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Reading |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
.0 |
64.0 |
65.2 | 70.0 |
District |
.0 |
72.0 |
73.5 | 71.0 |
| Grade 4 |
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Math |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
62.2 |
54.0 |
59.0 | 58.0 |
District |
61.7 |
66.0 |
60.1 | 60.0 |
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Reading |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
90.8 |
79.0 |
77.0 | 70.0 |
District |
84.4 |
86.0 |
80.2 | 77.0 |
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Writing |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
55.1 |
50.0 |
50.0 | 33.0 |
District |
58.6 |
58.0 |
56.2 | 58.0 |
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| Grade 5 |
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Math |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
.0 |
62.0 |
63.8 | 70.0 |
District |
.0 |
58.0 |
66.2 | 69.0 |
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Reading |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
.0 |
87.0 |
77.4 | 75.0 |
District |
.0 |
82.0 |
75.3 | 80.0 |
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Science |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 | 2008 |
School |
31.0 |
32.0 |
34.4 | 29.0 |
District |
32.0 |
30.0 |
31.2 | 40.0 |