2006-07 APS Annual Report
December 03, 2006
A Profile of Auburn Public Schools, District #29:
Who We Are
Introduction
Auburn Public Schools is a Class III district comprised of the towns of Auburn, Brownville, Howe, Julian, & Peru & the surrounding agricultural land in southeast Nebraska. It is a rural district that strives to provide excellence in education for its 877 students (2006-07 school year). The Auburn school district is accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education and the high school is a member of the North Central Association: Commission for Accreditation and School Improvement.
Auburn Public Schools
Mission Statement
We prepare our students to be productive and
responsible citizens
in an ever-changing world.
Our Children. . . Our Future. . .
Governing Beliefs
- We believe in setting high standards, providing quality education, and challenging students to work to their highest potential.
- We believe in treating all people with dignity and respect.
- We believe in developing positive self-esteem in all students.
- We believe in providing each student the opportunity to learn and succeed.
- We believe in sharing responsibility for education with the community, family, and students.
- We believe in promoting and developing positive character traits.
- We believe in providing a safe, caring, and positive educational environment.
Currently, the District’s four attendance centers are located in Auburn. The centers and their grade levels are as follows:
Two elementary buildings
* Calvert Elementary -- a K-3 center
* Auburn Middle School -- a Grades 4-6 center
One secondary building
* Auburn High School -- a Grades 7-12 center
One alternative education center
* An alternative and life skills center for K-12
The staff includes:
- superintendent of schools
- two principals (elementary and high school)
- assistant high school principal/athletic director
- school improvement and curriculum director
- special education director
- 61 certified teachers
- 2 counselors (elementary and high school)
- school nurse
- 57 classified staff members
- speech pathologist
- technology director
A six-member board of education, chosen at large, serves as the district's governing body.
School Improvement Process and Goals
A school improvement process guides teachers, administrators, and community patrons in setting goals, assessing academic progress, and developing new instructional strategies to address students' needs. The School District #29 school improvement process is in the third cycle; each cycle addresses a student achievement goal for five years.
The current school improvement goal is: All student will increase reading comprehension in all disciplines.
Profile Data
The following section provides information about district demographics; student achievement in reading, writing, and math; teacher qualifications; staff development information; graduation rates; and school finances.
District Demographics
Student characteristics have continued to change over time. Trend data indicate that student enrollment has decreased steadily from 1995- 2006. However, during first semester of the 2006-07 school year, student enrollment numbers increased to 877 students. The following chart displays enrollment trends.
For other student demographic information, click on the following links.
A. Free and Reduced Lunch Rate
B. Mobility Rate
C. Special Education Rate
D. Ethnicity
Student Achievement for Reading and Mathematics
District #29 students continue to excel academically. Most high school students are accepted by the local, state, or national post-secondary institutions of their choice. Furthermore, many receive scholarships or grants to assist them in meeting the financial challenges of post-secondary education.
In 1999-2000, the State of Nebraska began its plan to implement academic standards, assessments, and accountability measures. In order to meet the parameters of the plan, District teachers formed a consortium with other teachers from Educational Service Unit #4 schools to create, pilot, and revise assessments for all language arts and math standards. The assessments were designed to measure reading and math proficiency of students in grades 4, 8, and 11. These assessments have been used and the results reported for three years. Click on the following link to view:
A. Reading Standards Results
B. Math Standards Results
District educators have strived to improve the student writing skills since 2001. (The 2000-01 school year was the first year that the Nebraska Writing Test was given to all students in grades 4, 8, and 11.) Teachers believe that the implementation of the nationally recognized Six Traits of Writing methods have garnered positive results. Writing data may be viewed by clicking on the following link.
C. Writing Link
Results of Iowa Test of Basic Skills reading and math tests can be found by clicking on the following links.
D. Iowa Test of Basic Skills Reading Link
E. Iowa Test of Basic Skills Math Link
Teacher Qualifications
The District #29 teaching faculty is composed of 63 certified teachers. Of those, 53.9 % have a masters degree. The certified staff averages 21.9 years of teaching experience. Other detailed information about district teachers' qualifications can be found at the following site:
Staff Development for District Teachers
Teacher training currently focuses on differentiated instruction & reading comprehension to better facilitate all students meeting their potential. Over 40% of the teaching staff have attended national differentiated instructional training. Teachers also attend regional and national conferences to receive training to in reading instruction in the district's K-12 classrooms. These teachers then become trainers for other staff members as instructional interventions are implemented.
During the 2006-07 school year, regional reading consultants will train all K-12 teachers grade-appropriate reading methods on September 29, 2006 and February 2, 2006. The staff developments training is directly linked the the District's school improvement plan.
Graduation Rates
Graduation rates (percentages of high school seniors graduating) consistently lie in the upper ninety percentile. Auburn graduation percentages is well above the United States and Nebraska average completion rates.
To view trend data for Auburn Public Schools and Nebraska average graduation rates click on the following link.
Financial Funding
Information about District #29's financial receipts and expenditures during the 2004-05 school year can be found by clicking on the following link.
