2011-12  School Performance Report

Principal’s Message

Yelm High School is a great place for our young adults to learn and grow.  In addition to our strong academic programs, we are very proud of our long-standing connections within the Yelm Community.  Yelm High School will house approximately 1,200 students in grades 10-12.  We stress to our students the need to enroll in rigorous courses in all areas.  Yelm High School offers numerous honors courses in math, science, English and social studies.  Additionally, we feature a full Advanced Placement program including courses in World History, United States History, Government, Economics, Language, Composition, Calculus and Music Theory.   Last year Yelm High School opened a highly successful after school help program called Learning Lab.  Students accessed Learning Lab more than 2,000 times, and were assisted by teachers and our bank of 80 peer tutors. 

Student achievement accelerated at Yelm High School in 2010-11.  On the High School Proficiency  Exams (HSPE) in reading and writing, Yelm students posted strong gains.  Our students performed well above state average with 86.2% passing reading and 89.8% passing writing.  Yelm High students also posted strong improvements in math and science, performing at or above state averages.

Yelm High School staff committed to working collaboratively to improve student achievement.  Working in Professional Learning Communities (PLC), our staff is focusing on the development of common assessments, standards based grading practices, strategies to engage students more deeply in lessons and the development of a school-wide writing model.

Yelm High School is a beautiful facility that supports our academic and co-curricular programs.  With community support six years ago, parts of the school were rebuilt and remodeled.  The community makes extensive use of our impressive commons and theatre.  Classrooms feature internet capacity and learning technology.  Yelm High School is incredibly proud of its strong and diverse career and technical education programs.

We are so proud that our students make a difference in the Yelm community.  Last fall our FFA program was rated as the top chapter in the nation for its program to promote safe driving.  In addition to our traditionally strong Veterans Day and homecoming activities, our students initiated multiple student recognition programs.  Students were recognized for their academic improvement, strong attendance and service to the community.  Our award winning band and select choir gave incredible performances at Prairie Days and Christmas in the Park events. 

School Improvement Plan

Yelm High School’s improvement plan is developed annually to support student achievement and teacher professional development.  In 2010-11 we met our improvement goals in reading and science. We posted strong gains in our other goal areas of writing, math and attendance.  Our teaching staff analyzes broad achievement data to set strong improvement goals for the coming year.   The school-wide goals target achievement on state reported assessments, but each department develops both goals and action plans to support student achievement.  For 2011-12 the school improvement goals include:

Reading:  We will improve student performance on the state reading test from 86.2% to 90%.  Additionally we will reduce the percentage of students scoring in the lowest level of the test from 4% to 2%. 

Writing:  We will improve student performance on the state writing test from 89.8% to 92%.  Additionally, we will reduce the percentage of students scoring in the lowest level of the test from 4% to 2%.

Math:  We will improve student performance on the state End of Course Algebra test from 56% to 65%.  We will improve student performance on the state End of Course Geometry test from 66% to 75%.

Science:  We will improve student performance on the state science test from 48% to 60%.  Students will take the End of Course Biology test for the first time in 2011-12.

Attendance:  We will improve daily student attendance from 91.12% (yearly average) to 92.5%

Graduation Rate:  We will decrease the percentage of students failing at least one class per semester from 21.5% to 10%

Staffing

The Yelm High School teaching staff consists of 57 classroom teachers and 3 school counselors.  The percentage of faculty holding a master's degree exceeds 65%.  The number of National Board certified teachers increased to six.   

Attendance

Yelm High School average daily attendance was 91.12% for 2010-11.

Average Expenditure

Parents can join parent-school organizations and attend parent information nights. School and district newsletters strengthen communication. Parent conferences are scheduled in the fall and spring and parents are encouraged to communicate with teachers at any time. Parents can register to access their child's school information online through Family Access.