Each week while school is in session, the staff at Warrior Ridge Elementary convene for a collaborative meeting of the minds. While everyone brings different ideas to the table, the common goal is to maximize the learning outcomes for each student in the building. This has been a long-standing practice for Principal Dr. Bobbi Russell and her enthusiastic faculty, leading to results remarkable enough to earn national recognition.

Warrior Ridge, one of three elementary schools in the Warren County R-III School District, was honored during the monthly school board meeting on March 12 as a National Professional Learning Community (PLC) Model School. It’s a recognition bestowed upon just 25 schools across the entire state.

“What an honor to receive this status as a school,” said Russell. “The staff and students are very proud to be honored for their hard work. I am equally proud of them, knowing the effort they put toward achieving their best every day.”

This is not the first time Warrior Ridge has been recognized as an exemplary learning community. In 2017, the school was awarded the honor of state level PLC. After successfully maintaining the criteria and high standards for three years, the building was eligible for a national honor.

Ben Tilley, from Solution Tree, was on hand to present Russell and several faculty members with a flag declaring the PLC status. He expressed the significance of the award.

“When schools work together as collaborative teams and focus on the right work, then outcomes for students are greatly increased,” said Tilly. “Warrior Ridge has focused on the right areas, their scores have increased over time, and they’re really focused on doing what’s best for kids.”

In order to achieve the PLC status, Warrior Ridge had to demonstrate progress by every student, regardless of learning ability or level. Staff also had to document and keep detailed data to submit proof of the ongoing progress.

Russell said this is accomplished through those weekly collaborative meetings, with everybody having each student’s best interest in mind.

“When we meet and we talk about best practices, we also brainstorm ways to help individual students,” said Russell. “We put all our minds and resources together to make sure every student is successful at that level. We are looking for strategies for helping move every kid on to that next grade level.”

Russell said the focus is not just on students who might be at risk but also on those who are excelling beyond grade level curriculum.

“We’re watching the reading growth of all the kids,” said Russell. “We’re looking for a year-plus more growth for every student.”

Warrior Ridge prides itself on being a supportive learning community, celebrating achievements with staff and students alike. Each person who walks through the building doors will see the PLC flag hanging in the lobby, declaring the school’s dedication to making every students’ learning experience as rewarding as possible. Staff were awarded with individual certificates to commemorate their efforts and excellence.

When asked what is most special about Warrior Ridge, Russell goes back to that weekly team gathering of collaborative minds.

“I would definitely say the staff and their willingness to share and support each other to ensure all students are performing at high levels stands out to me,” said Russell. “When you have that team together, they’er supporting each other and making sure everybody is making gains.”