CC/E to shift to multi-grade classrooms

The composition of some classrooms at Clay Central/Everly Elementary will look different in August.

The school board on Dec. 27 voted unanimously to shift to multi-grade level classrooms next fall. According to discussion, the change will only affect certain grades and not all K-6 levels.

"Moving forward, CC/E is going to be here," said Superintendent Kevin Wood. "It's just going to look a little different."

The board and administration had been discussing the move since August due to low classroom censuses. Director of Student Services Michelle Huntress noted at previous meetings that moving to multi-grade classrooms has the opportunity to enrich students' learning experiences and social relationships with more peer-to-peer interactions.

She and fellow staff members have been studying Stratford Elementary in Stratford, Iowa, which moved to multi-grade classrooms more than a decade ago for the same reasons.

"Many teachers there shared that they do not ever want to go back to single-section teaching because they feel the model provides opportunities for deeper student learning due to prolonged teacher connections to student needs," Huntress explained. "They also noted that students developed stronger friendships with more peers within the multi-grade model."

Finances aren't the motivating factor behind the decision – Wood once again reassured the board last week that CC/E was in "good shape fiscally." Butts in seats are the issue, with three grade levels possessing only five students. Overall K-6 enrollment at CC/E right now is 51, with the largest class having 11 students.

According to previous discussion, similarly aged classrooms would be merged under the new structure – for example, kindergartners and first graders could share a room. Wood explained the district can begin planning in earnest now that the board has made a decision.

"We want to make sure we're putting our teachers in the best position so that when we get to that point, we're ready," he said.

Huntress and other CC/E staff members will continue planning the change and investigating best practices from schools that use the multi-grade classroom structure. In addition to Stratford, she plans to visit with the principal of the Tamarack School in Iowa City, a private K-6 school that utilizes multi-grade classrooms.

"We look forward to serving the families of the CC/E district for years to come," Huntress said. "We value the ability to know our students' needs well because of smaller class sizes, and we can meet those needs through intentional learning experiences that are relevant, rigorous and engaging."

According to Huntress, administrators will determine which classrooms are combined at a later date.

"We're planning to pilot the model with just a few grades of multi-grade grouping in 2024-25 so communication between teachers, administration, instructional coaches, and AEA consultants can be effective and supportive," she said. "The AEA is aware of CCE's plans and is positioned to support staff with needed training in co-teaching models, differentiated instruction models, and ongoing support starting in the second semester of the current school year."

Administrators made clear the plan is flexible. The district is hoping to grow enrollment, and if numbers improve, classrooms could return to a traditional one-grade structure.

"Our hope is to stay [open and grow], but to get your children and grandchildren the best education, right now this is the route that we're taking," said Board Member Allyn Heikens.

Looking to the future, school officials have expressed optimism in the school's preschool numbers – currently 15 students are enrolled in PK.

Additional promotional efforts are being taken to draw eyes, and hopefully new students, to CC/E. Not only does the district have an active social media presence, it's planning to buy airtime via a 30-second commercial prior to kindergarten roundup.

Huntress played the ad during last week's meeting, which impressed those in attendance.

"It's very well done," said Board Member Allison Goyette.

CC/E has only offered grades K-6 since 2019, when the school board voted to cease offering grades 7-12 due to dwindling enrollment. The district now has a whole-grade sharing agreement with the Spencer Community School District for those grades. Many students choose to open-enroll to Sioux Central, Okoboji, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and elsewhere.