Information
Albany Lower Elementary serves approximately 550 students from Pre Kindergarten through second grade and is a Title I school. Our mission states, the faculty and staff strive to provide the best practices for successful learners. During the 2003-2004 school term Albany Lower Elementary was recognized for Academic Growth and during the 2004-2005 school year the school received recognition for Exemplary Academic Growth. A variety of academic programs and interventions have aided students and staff to achieve their growth targets.
Early childhood programs funded by LA 4 and 8(g) Early childhood Block Grants are available to the students with the greatest need. The school also houses two special Education early childhood classes. These programs are evaluated each year to ensure that the curriculum and environment are appropriate for four-year-old children.
Supplemental reading is provided through the Accelerated Reader program which is offered to students in first and second grade. Students check out books and are tested on their knowledge of the books they read. Reports are generated throughout the year for teacher and parent review. Book-It and Read with Me Bags provide additional reading incentives. Leap Frog materials are also available for checkout through the resource center.
Orchard software program is used in each first and second grade classroom to access student’s abilities and provide enrichment. The software is utilized on computer workstations in each 1st and 2nd grade classroom.
Technology is available in each classroom and is supported by a Computer Lab. The CCC program is utilized by all students to remediate and enrich student work. And again reports are generated for teacher, student and parent review. Students attend the lab for 30 minutes on a daily basis.
Attendance Club is an attempt to encourage all children to attend school. Children who miss no more than 3 days of school are eligible for prize drawings, and students with perfect attendance are recognized each nine weeks.
Cultural outreach assemblies are held each nine weeks and students are recognized for attendance and achievements. The assemblies feature local talent, story tellers, musicians, dancers, etc.
Bee Buddies is a program developed by our school counselor to encourage students to follow school rules, keep the campus clean and promote kindness and respect for each other.
Small group instruction is provided with the assistance of highly qualified paraprofessionals who provide remediation and enrichment to students in kindergarten through second grade.
Tutoring before school is provided for students who are working below grade level in first and second grade. In addition to classroom grades, the Diagnostic Reading Assessment (DRA) and STEEP interventions help to identify children needs.
Fine Arts are an important part of the instructional program for each child. While attending Albany Lower students participate in an annual Christmas program and a school play each year.
Parental involvement is important to the success of our school. Parents are asked to volunteer and to attend parent grade level meetings hosted each school year. A Parent Council is established each year to give input and suggestions as well as to act as a liaison between the home and school.
Staff development opportunities are provided to teachers and paraprofessionals each year and are planned and evaluated by the school improvement team. All activities are used in conjunction with the Comprehensive Curriculum provide by the State Department of Education. Parents may view this curriculum by visiting the Livingston Parish School Board at www.lpsb.org.
Criteria for promotion is also available on the parish website.