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 530 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.
Our goal for the 2007-2008 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. Within the format of a readers’ and writers’ workshop, our teachers use a number of instructional strategies including whole group, small flexible groups, and one-on-one instruction. All instruction is aligned with the state Essential Learning Academic Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLL) to ensure that all students reach grade level standard.
An Intervention/Coaching team comprised of ELL coach, 2 literacy coaches and 1 math coach support teaching and learning for staff and students.
Our school-wide learning plan focuses on several goals and practices:
- Helping students who are one year or more below grade level in reading to gain 1.5 years in one year
- Supporting students through a before-school reading and mathematics program
- Regularly assessing students’ instructional levels and skills in reading and math and basing our teaching on the results of these assessments
- Presenting students with meaningful work that is personalized for each student
Parent partnerships are essential to the academic support of our students, and our staff works 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. Regular 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 our Celebrating Differences Night.
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 volunteer
- Before/After school reading and math program
- English Language Learners (ELL) support
- Fast Moves Chess Curriculum
- Full-time Counselor
- GATE Program (grade 3-4-5)
- Half-time Librarian
- Honor Choir and Bell Chime Choir
- Jump Rope for Heart and Fitness Walking
- Lunch Time Reading Club
- Music and PE specialists
- Music keyboard lab
- Music Performances
- Page Ahead Books Grant
- Participation in “Reflections” contest and Young Authors Conference
- Participation in Young Authors Conference
- Project Wisdom and Second Step curriculum
- Reading with Brenda Program
- Rich and engaging assemblies (e.g., authors, arts, fitness)
- Special breakfast and lunch programs
- Special Education (resource room, and EBD)
- Student Leadership Team
- Track (grades K-5)
Student Characteristics
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Distribution of Student Ethnicity |
2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| African American | 9.05 | 7.72 | 9.80 |
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Asian American |
14.81 | 14.67 | 15.80 |
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Hispanic |
26.95 | 29.73 | 34.30 |
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Native American |
.62 | .39 | 1.00 |
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White |
45.06 | 41.12 | 32.90 |
| Pac Islander | .62 | 1.74 | 1.60 |
| Multi-Racial | 2.06 | 4.25 | 3.60 |
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Other Student Characteristics |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
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Number of Students (Oct.) |
465 | 504 | 503 |
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Free/Reduced Meals |
55.3% | 59.9% | 62.3% |
How Are We Using Our Financial Resources?
| Our District | Our School | ||
| “Per Pupil” Expenditures for 2006-07 | Funding | ||
Total Expenditure |
$8,296.00 | Building Expenditures |
$68,712.37 |
Supplies & Instructional Materials |
$432.00 | ASB (Associated Student Body) Expenditures |
$15.582.34 |
Equipment |
$52.00 | ||
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 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
.0 |
.0 |
68.0 |
67.4 |
District |
.0 |
.0 |
70.0 |
74.1 |
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Reading |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
.0 |
.0 |
64.0 |
65.2 |
District |
.0 |
.0 |
72.0 |
73.5 |
| Grade 4 |
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Math |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
58.9 |
62.2 |
54.0 |
59.0 |
District |
62.1 |
61.7 |
66.0 |
60.1 |
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Reading |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
75.6 |
90.8 |
79.0 |
77.0 |
District |
81.4 |
84.4 |
86.0 |
80.2 |
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Writing |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
47.8 |
55.1 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
District |
58.8 |
58.6 |
58.0 |
56.2 |
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| Grade 5 |
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Math |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
.0 |
.0 |
62.0 |
63.8 |
District |
.0 |
.0 |
58.0 |
66.2 |
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Reading |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
.0 |
.0 |
87.0 |
77.4 |
District |
.0 |
.0 |
82.0 |
75.3 |
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Science |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
School |
9.9 |
31.0 |
32.0 |
34.4 |
District |
23.5 |
32.0 |
30.0 |
31.2 |