Roosevelt Elementary is located in central West Palm Beach, Florida. Roosevelt Elementary students come from a variety of cultural backgrounds and experiences. The 302 students range in ages from 3 to 12 (Grades Pre-K through 5) with a makeup of 83% African-American, 13% Hispanic, 3% White, and 1% other ethnicities. Eighty-eight percent of students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. At Roosevelt Elementary, 16% of the students are identified as Exceptional education students (ESE) and 11% are new English Language Learners (ELL).
The faculty and staff at Roosevelt Elementary strongly believe that all children possess the capacity to achieve at great levels and are working diligently to develop their students into critical thinkers and collaborators. The goal of education at Roosevelt Elementary is to educate the whole child. This includes not only a strong academic focus, but social-emotional and character education as well.
Roosevelt Elementary received instruments from the TeamWork Education Foundation. Roosevelt is grateful for the donation that will develop its band program.
Professional Development with The Conservatory School.
When you step foot on campus, you will see freshly painted buildings and updated landscaping. What isn't immediately visible is that for the FY23 school year, Roosevelt Elementary staff and administration are committed to updating their approach to teaching and learning. Specifically, they are shifting toward project-based learning (PBL) and inquiry teaching practices and the inclusion of arts integration to support student learning. Moreover, Roosevelt is launching a new music program; providing vocal and band opportunities for its students.
The goals of this three-year project are:
To develop an Innovative School model for the Roosevelt Elementary community that centers excellence, equity, and deeper learning in an environment where voice and agency are celebrated.
To develop an innovative school that will delight and inspire all potential new families moving into the local community. To see this school model, is to want it for your children.
The long-term goal is to broaden the learning opportunities for the Roosevelt Elementary community through its Math, Science, and Technology Choice Program, infusion of PBL, and Music and Arts integration. Through business partnerships with parents and the community, all students will be empowered to become proficient and/or grow academically in order to be lifelong learners, responsible citizens, and college or career ready. Kindergarten through 5th grade students who are zoned for Roosevelt Elementary will never have to apply to attend the school, even with this new program.
Important fundamental groundwork for this shift has already occurred during this past school year, where the primary grade teachers are already participating in year-long professional development with The Conservatory School @ North Palm Beach (TCS). TCS is a K-8 model school for music and arts integration and project-based learning. The primary grade teachers at Roosevelt Elementary School have visited TCS and spent time in the TCS classrooms observing student-to-student interactions, student-to-teacher interactions, and the overall atmosphere. The Roosevelt Elementary teachers left feeling excited, inspired, and ready to jump into PBL and music and arts integration. During the Summer of 2022, Roosevelt Elementary primary grade teachers attended a four-day professional development workshop to learn from TCS practicing teachers. The activities were hands-on and cover arts integration, alternative assessment, starting with the standards in building inquiry projects, and managing an inquiry classroom.