Laurelwood School is a caring community of learners

whose STUDENTS:

• Respect and trust themselves and others.
• Acquire and practice life-long learning skills.
• Meet or exceed district academic performance standards.
• Mature physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually.
• Become self-directed, responsible, life-long learners.

whose STAFF and TEACHERS:

• Value the diverse backgrounds and strengths each child brings to school and to learning.
• Collaborate to incorporate best practices based on current research into their teaching.
• Reflect attitudes of professionalism and dedication.
• Work with students and the community in an environment of mutual trust and respect.

whose PARENTS and COMMUNITY:

• Support the vision and mission of the school.
• Value diversity and treat others with respect.
• Participate actively in the education of our children.
• Appreciate the role of the public school in the life of our democracy.

Believing all children must be challenged to maximize their potential, Laurelwood's staff offers its students a strong academic program with an emphasis on the basic subjects of language arts, mathematics, social studies and science. Equally important to the staff are the social development of each child, the attainment of a strong self-concept and a basic human respect and tolerance for others.

Academic goals and objectives based on California State Standards and Santa Clara Unified School District Standards are planned yearly and are reflected in Laurelwood's school plan.

Laurelwood School enjoys the strong support of our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and School Site Council (SSC). The SSC, comprised of teachers, parents, and the principal, is involved in the planning and evaluation of the state-mandated School Improvement Program. Laurelwood's PTA lends financial assistance by sponsoring the school's Fine Arts program. The PTA's volunteer program provides opportunities for parent and community volunteers to help in the classroom, with special events, with field trips, on the playground, and in the library, computer lab, office, or copy center on a regular basis.

In addition to scheduled parent-teacher goal setting conferences, parents are encouraged to attend Back-to-School night, Open House, grade level concerts, and other school activities. A school newsletter ("The Laurelwood Letter") goes home bi-weekly and the PTA also sends out a monthly newsletter ("Tiger Tales").

The Student Study Team is the coordinating group between the regular school program and Laurelwood's various special programs. The team meets to provide advice and assistance for classroom teachers and to recommend special education placement or counseling for students.

The school practices the "inclusion" or collaboration model in which special education teachers work with learning handicapped and at-risk students in the regular classroom. Those teachers collaborate constantly with the regular education teachers. This ultimately results in better learning for all students.

Laurelwood also has a strong support staff of counselors, a speech and language specialists, and health specialists.

Laurelwood is further characterized by a strong academic focus and a positive school-wide atmosphere in which students are friendly and respect one another. It is obvious that the vast majority of students "like" their school and have a positive attitude toward their teachers. An equally impressive number appear to like one another, care for school property and follow school rules.