Warren Consolidated schools
Lean Elementary
Helping students speak and understand English is a particular focus at Lean Elementary where 25 different languages are spoken among the nearly 600 students in grades pre-K to 5. About 35 percent of the students are Bengali. The school’s students from low-income backgrounds and English learners demonstrated growth above the state average in both ELA and Math for three straight years. Lean Elementary stands out with its intentional language support and instruction, its dedication to its school community, and attention to celebrating diverse communities.
Culturally- and linguistically-affirming instructional practices are integral here. The school librarian makes a special point of having books with diverse characters in them, so students see themselves and know they matter. A strong working relationship between classroom teachers, English learner teachers, and Title 1 teachers helps build success.
Kids need to see themselves so that they can feel seen by others, feel connected to the community, and feel that they matter and are important … It helps them feel a part of the world in which they live. Seeing themselves in books gives them positive self-perceptions and increases their sense of self-esteem and self-worth. Furthermore, if kids see themselves in books, it will ultimately lead to increased reading skills since they will be able to make better connections, allowing for better comprehension.”
Media Specialist
73%
of the student population are from low-income households
50%
are students of color
