Executive Summary

School Overview

Meridian Street Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Brazil, Indiana, a charming small town of around 8,000 residents in the heart of Indiana's Clay County. Meridian serves students in grades 3-8 and had an enrollment of 289 students in the 2022-2023 school year. The student population at Meridian is predominantly white, reflecting the racial demographics of Brazil and Clay County overall.

Academically, Meridian students perform around the state average in both English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math according to standardized test pass rates from 2019-2023. In 2023, 52.9% of Meridian students passed the ELA exam compared to the state average of 50.8%. In Math, Meridian's pass rate was 61.4% compared to the state's 50.8%. When examining proficiency levels, over a third of Meridian students scored "At Proficiency" in ELA in 2023, while about a quarter reached "Above Proficiency." For Math, 35% scored "At Proficiency" and 26.5% were "Above Proficiency." While Meridian's pass rates are higher than the state averages, there is still room for improvement, particularly in getting more students to score "At" or "Above" grade level expectations.

The student population at Meridian is predominantly low-income, with 63.67% qualifying for Free/Reduced Price Lunch in 2023 compared to the state average of 65.83%. The percentage of English Learner students was 0% in 2022 versus the state average of 0.7%. Meridian's Special Education population was 24.1% compared to the state's 22.7%. Understanding the higher rates of disadvantaged students can provide context for Meridian's academic performance and areas needing additional support.

Overall, Meridian Elementary serves an important role as a community school in the small town of Brazil. While students score around state averages, continued focus on improving proficiency levels, particularly for the high percentage of low-income students, can help Meridian excel. With its small size and community roots, Meridian has strengths to build upon in ensuring all students achieve grade-level expectations.

Overview of STEM Program

Introduction

Nestled in the heart of Brazil, Indiana, a town known for its rich history and warm community spirit, Meridian Elementary School has become a beacon for innovative education. Over the past four years, the school has earnestly cultivated its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Programming, aligning its educational framework with the Four C's: Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.

Historical Context

Although the growth trajectory was momentarily paused for a year and a half due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the school has resiliently bounced back. During the pandemic, traditional methods of student collaboration were disrupted, which inevitably affected the STEM programming. However, the commitment to STEM education never waned.

Inspirational Leadership

One of the shining stars in this journey has been Mandy Batchelor, the STEM teacher and librarian. She has consistently brought enthusiasm and innovation to the STEM lessons, which are incorporated across all grades from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. Each week, students look forward to these intentional and well-crafted STEM lessons in her classroom.

Curriculum: CREATE2THINK

In the summer of 2020, Meridian teachers took a monumental step by participating in the development of their bespoke STEM Curriculum, known as CREATE2THINK. The curriculum adheres to the 5E model of instruction—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—and seamlessly integrates real-world problems into classroom learning. These curriculum units are deployed on a monthly basis, offering students a comprehensive understanding of STEM subjects.

Community and Family Engagement

Meridian has further solidified its commitment to STEM education by organizing community and family-focused STEM events each semester. These events serve as an extension of the classroom, fostering a community of lifelong learners and inquisitive minds.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

The school continues to explore avenues for experiential learning tied back to their STEM curriculum. Students have the opportunity to embark on educational field trips to farms and apple orchards, thereby gaining a firsthand experience of applied sciences. Moreover, Meridian has fostered partnerships with local organizations like Habitat for Humanity and the local YMCA. Even connections with local weathermen have been established to bring a real-world context to their meteorological studies.

Conclusion

In summary, Meridian Elementary School’s STEM Programming is more than just an academic initiative; it's a holistic educational experience. It nurtures not only the intellect but also the character of its students, encapsulating the essence of the Four C's and preparing them for a world that is increasingly dependent on STEM competencies. As they continue to build upon their strong STEM foundation, Meridian Elementary is undoubtedly setting its students on a path to become the innovative leaders of tomorrow.