This article was originally published on the Denton ISD webpage and has been shared with the school’s permission.

Savannah Elementary School was recently identified as a Professional Learning Community Model School by Solution Tree.  The campus is one of only 26 elementary schools in the state of Texas and 182 elementary schools nationwide to receive this distinction.

“The application process is rigorous and requires significant improvement in student achievement data,” said Michael McWilliams, principal.  “It has been a challenging year for all of us, but we appreciate the collaboration within our building and district.  Our curriculum department and other district-level personnel have worked with us and supported our efforts in a variety of ways.  Everyone from parents to students, staff, and district officials shares this recognition with us.”

Schools that achieve Model PLC status must show three years of significant student improvement data based on collaboration efforts.  Examples of improvement can be shown through state assessment data, graduation and/or promotion rates, universal screener scores, and other measures that build a case that more students are learning based on the practices taking place on your campus.

“Savannah Elementary staff started on this journey six years ago,” said Dr. Jeff Russell, area superintendent. “Even with all the challenges faced throughout this unusual school year, they’ve been able to stay focused on meeting students where they are as learners which is a testament to the great team of educators assembled on that campus. ”

Model PLC schools demonstrate work in collaborative teams, monitor student learning on a timely basis, create systems of intervention and extension to provide students with additional time and learning support and build teacher capacity to work collaboratively with a focus on improved learning for all students.

Since 1998, Solution Tree has worked to transform education worldwide by empowering educators to raise student achievement.  With more than 48,962 educators attending professional learning events and more than 5,500 professional development days in schools each year, Solution Tree helps teachers and administrators confront essential challenges.