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Jefferson Elementary School, located in the vibrant community of Winona Lake, Indiana, is a proud part of Warsaw Community Schools (WCS), a district known for its commitment to excellence in education. At Jefferson, we are dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive environment where all students are encouraged to explore their potential through hands-on learning and inquiry-based experiences. Our school serves students from diverse backgrounds and provides them with the tools they need to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens.
Mission and Vision : Our mission at Jefferson Elementary is to inspire and empower every student to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe that every child has the capacity for success, and it is our responsibility to provide the opportunities, resources, and support necessary for each student to thrive. Our vision is to be a school where students are excited about learning, engaged in their education, and prepared for the future challenges of a rapidly changing world.
STEM Focus : As a leader in STEM education, Jefferson Elementary is committed to providing innovative learning experiences that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into daily instruction. Through hands-on projects, collaborative problem-solving, and partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, we ensure that students not only develop strong academic foundations but also cultivate the critical skills needed for success in the 21st century.
Our STEM initiatives align with the priorities set forth by the Indiana Department of Education, ensuring equitable access to STEM learning for all students. Programs such as our STEM Ambassadors, project-based learning (PBL) activities, and after-school clubs create opportunities for students to engage in real-world applications of STEM concepts. We are particularly proud of our efforts to bring coding, robotics, and engineering challenges into the classroom, helping students understand the relevance of STEM in everyday life.
Community Partnerships and Career Readiness : At Jefferson, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom walls. We maintain strong relationships with community partners, including Orthoworx, Parkview, and the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, to provide students with enriching experiences that connect their learning to future careers. These partnerships not only enhance our curriculum but also introduce students to a variety of career pathways, particularly in STEM-related fields.
Student-Centered Learning : Our approach to education at Jefferson Elementary is student-centered, meaning we prioritize the needs, interests, and strengths of each individual learner. Through differentiated instruction, we ensure that every child receives the support they need to excel, whether they are advanced learners or require additional assistance. Our highly qualified teachers are dedicated to creating engaging lessons that foster curiosity and promote a love of learning.
A Culture of Excellence : Jefferson Elementary’s culture is built on a foundation of respect, responsibility, and resilience. We strive to create a nurturing environment where students feel safe, valued, and motivated to achieve their best. With a focus on both academic excellence and social-emotional learning, we equip our students with the skills they need to succeed not only in school but also in life.
As part of the broader Warsaw Community Schools district, Jefferson Elementary is committed to the district’s mission of “inspiring and equipping all students to continuously acquire and apply knowledge and skills while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others.” At Jefferson, we take this mission to heart as we prepare our students for bright and successful futures.
Jefferson Elementary's STEM programming is rooted in the IDOE’s mission to ensure that all students are prepared for the challenges of the future.
Our school takes an inquiry-based approach to STEM learning, where students engage in hands-on activities, critical thinking, and problem-solving to master essential STEM concepts.
These efforts align with Indiana’s vision for fostering curiosity, innovation, and workforce readiness in every student.
Equitable Access to High-Quality STEM Education
At Jefferson, we believe STEM should be accessible to every student, regardless of background, ability, or interest. We ensure that our STEM opportunities are inclusive, offering differentiated learning experiences that meet the diverse needs of our student population. Our commitment to equity reflects the IDOE’s priority of providing all students with access to the resources and experiences that will help them succeed in STEM fields. Through partnerships with organizations like Orthoworx and Zimmer Biomet, we bring cutting-edge technology and real-world applications directly into the classroom, providing all students with exposure to STEM career pathways.STEM Integration Across the Curriculum
Jefferson has successfully embedded STEM into every aspect of the curriculum. From coding lessons integrated into math to engineering challenges incorporated into literacy, students at Jefferson experience STEM not as a stand-alone subject but as a lens through which they view all learning. Our project-based learning (PBL) approach encourages students to solve real-world problems by applying scientific principles, mathematical reasoning, and technological tools. This holistic approach is in line with the IDOE’s goal of integrating STEM education across disciplines, helping students make meaningful connections between STEM and other subjects.Preparing Students for Future Careers
A core focus of our STEM program is career readiness. Jefferson Elementary partners with local industries, community organizations, and higher education institutions to expose students to the many career opportunities available in STEM fields. Through guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on projects, our students learn about the real-world applications of STEM and the types of jobs they could pursue in the future. This aligns with the IDOE’s emphasis on preparing students to thrive in the workforce, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for 21st-century careers.Inquiry-Based Learning and Innovation
Inquiry-based learning is at the heart of Jefferson’s STEM program. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore solutions, and develop their own experiments and designs. Whether building structures with LEGO Spike kits or programming robots with Spheros, students at Jefferson actively engage in the learning process. This hands-on, exploratory approach reflects Indiana’s priority of fostering innovation and creativity, helping students become independent thinkers who can tackle complex challenges.
Jefferson's Commitment to State Standards and STEM Excellence: Jefferson Elementary remains dedicated to meeting and exceeding the IDOE’s STEM standards. Our curriculum aligns with Indiana’s Academic Standards for Science and Math, ensuring that students master key content areas while developing the computational thinking, engineering design, and data analysis skills necessary for success in STEM. We use a combination of assessments, including formative and summative evaluations, to measure student progress and inform instructional practices, ensuring that all students are on a path to academic success.
Looking Ahead: The Future of STEM at Jefferson: As Jefferson Elementary continues to grow as a STEM leader in Winona Lake, we remain committed to enhancing our STEM offerings, expanding our partnerships, and providing every student with the tools they need to succeed. Through our alignment with IDOE’s STEM priorities and our focus on equitable access, inquiry-based learning, and career readiness, we are preparing the next generation of innovators, engineers, and problem-solvers who will shape the future of Indiana and beyond.
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