Apache Elementary School
School Information
| School Name: |
Apache Elementary School |
| School Address: |
700 W. Apache St.
Farmington, NM 87401 |
| School Phone: |
(505) 599-8602 |
| School Fax: |
Not Available |
| Principal: |
Debbie Braff |
| Principal E-Mail: |
dbraff@fms.k12.nm.us |
|
|
Overview
This elementary school moved from being in corrective action to making adequate yearly progress for three of the last 4 years. In January 2008, Apache received an award from the New Mexico Public Education Department and was recognized as "as school on the rise:" one of New Mexico�s outstanding role models for best practices and education excellence.
In the beginning
Apache Elementary School was ranked 11th of the 11 elementary schools in the 10,000 student Farmington, New Mexico School District. A low SES school with high mobility and predominantly Native American students, Apache Elementary was the only school in Farmington which continuously failed to meet accountability standards set by New Mexico beginning in 2001. By the time No Child Left Behind legislation took effect in 2004, Apache was already in Corrective Action. The first year of the New Mexico Standards Based Assessment only 13.64% of the students scored "proficient" or "advanced" in reading.
The shining results
The district made two administrative changes in 3 years before the school became a no-excuses, data-driven, collaborative organization, and began doing the right work. Apache has made AYP three of the last 4 years, and this year; for the first time in 7 years, it has "no designation."
Now teachers from other elementary schools are asking to come observe classrooms at Apache. The staff has been led by Principal Debbie Braff and the curriculum guidance of Dr. Marzano and his Associate Diane Paynter.