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Exemplary Schools

In 2004, Project CRISS introduced the Five Star Schools Rubric, a tool for guiding educators toward full-scale, sustainable and job-embedded implementation of CRISS. We at Project CRISS believe it is vital to the health and well-being of a learning community that all stakeholders do what they can to be active participants in lifelong learning.

As with any enterprise, through immense focus, effort, and prioritization of resources (especially staff, time, and funding), some exemplars rise to the top. Using the CRISS Five Star Schools Rubric and other data, the CRISS National Office team, in conjunction with National and District Trainers, identifies schools and districts where teachers work with each other and administrators as lifelong learners seeking to improve their practice; students are learning about themselves as learners and gaining confidence and knowledge as a result; parents are actively involved in their students’ learning; and all education stakeholders are focused on student achievement across all grades and content areas.

Project CRISS Exemplary Schools are filled with staff, students, and other stakeholders who strive for excellence. We are proud to support these schools, we applaud their efforts, and we recognize their dedication to quality education.

Interested parties are welcome to contact the CRISS District Trainer or contact person listed for more information.

Exemplary Schools, July 2011

Glenbard Township High School District 87, Illinois

Demographics: suburban Chicago, 4 high schools, 579 faculty, 8900+ students: 36% minority, 20% low socioeconomic status, 14% eligible for Special Education services, 3% Limited English Proficient

CRISS Implementation: In 2006, data analysis spotlighted a need for a district-wide approach to literacy instruction. CRISS had a presence in the district, including two certified trainers. The board decided to adopt CRISS as a district initiative. Since then, they added four more trainers, held approximately 20 Level I workshops, and developed a long-term sustainability plan, including something they call CRISS Connections.

CRISS Connections is a users’ group that meets quarterly and is facilitated by District Trainers. Each session is six hours, reviews the CRISS principles, and incorporates strategies and reflection into mini-lessons. Teachers get collaborative work time and one-on-one coaching. Existing Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are encouraged to attend CRISS Connections sessions as teams.

Glenbard hosts several Parent Workshops each year to engage families in their students’ learning processes. Each family receives a CRISS for Parents flipbook to support continued efforts at home.

Administrators attend an Academy, which includes CRISS for Administrators training, resources, classroom walk-through coaching, and sustainability planning support.

Assessment Results: According to the Illinois District Report Cards posted on the district website, for 2010-11, Glenbard’s 11th grade students outperformed state averages on the Prairie State Achievement Examination by 8 to 11 points in reading, math, and science. Hispanic students and students of low socioeconomic status (as indicated by % on free/reduced lunch) outperformed state averages in reading, math, and science as well. Virtually all graduating students take the ACT at Glenbard; across the board, ACT scores averaged higher than state averages for the class of 2011.

CRISS District Trainer: Sandra Coughlin, Assistant Principal, Sandra_coughlin@glenbard87.org

Website: http://www.glenbard87.org/

Demonstration Sites (2010-2011) by State

ARIZONA

Amphitheater Public Schools, 701 West Wetmore Road, Tucson, AZ 85705

FLORIDA

Indian Ridge School, 1955 Golden Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Oakridge Middle School, 14975 Collier Blvd., Naples, FL 34119

ILLINOIS

Jonathon Turner Junior High School, 664 Lincoln Avenue, Jacksonville, IL  62650

Larsen Middle School, 665 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120

West Aurora High School, 1201 W. New York St., Aurora, IL  60506

INDIANA

Bibich Elementary School, 14600 W. 81st Street, Dyer, IN 46311

Lake Central Freshmen Center, 8410 Wicker Ave., St. John, IN 46373

IOWA

Earlham Community School, 535 North Chestnut, Box 430, Earlham, IA 50072

 

TEXAS

Saint Mary's Hall, 9401 Starcrest Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217

VIRGINIA

Cosby High School, 14300 Fox Club Parkway, Midlothian, VA 23112

WASHINGTON

Stevenson High School, P.O. Box 850, Stevenson, WA  98648

WISCONSIN

Mukwonago Area School District, 423 Division Street, Mukwonago, WI  53149

West Side Elementary School, 222 Sunset Drive, Elkhorn, WI  53121

Northstar Middle School, 2711 Abbe Hill Drive, Eau Claire, WI 54703

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

Winston Knoll Collegiate, 5255 Rochdale Blvd., Regina, SK S4X 4M8 CANADA

 

 

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