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"To educate the whole child, to value each individual within a safe and nurturting environment, and to support every student in achieving or surpassing the California State Standards"
Central is a small neighborhood school of ~350 students tucked into the beautiful hills of Belmont. Our school population tends to be stable, with students coming from comfortable middle-class backgrounds whose parents are committed to their children's education.
Central maintains high expectations for all in a warm, safe and nurturing environment. Parents and teachers partner in raising each child together. The comment, "We are like one big family!", is often repeated by students, parents, and staff. While it is not uncommon for parents and teachers to be united in their desire for students to meet and exceed standards, what is uncommon is the way in which Central goes about fulfilling its charter. Many observers comment on the atmosphere of enthusiasm and welcome that is endemic to the school, as well as the high level of trust, cooperation and approval that exists among staff, parents, and students.
As soon as students arrive in the morning they are reminded that they are valued, as parent and fifth grade Kiddy Valet volunteers greet them and help them from their cars. Their days are action packed, with focus on high academic standards and enriching activities. Even a casual stroll around campus will convince a visitor that students and adults alike are excited about being here. A day may kick off with Monday Morning Meeting, an all school assembly emphasizing community and our Culture of Courtesy, or Boot Camp, the exercise class for grades 3-5. Enter the library in the early morning and you'll observe tutoring taking place in one corner, while in another, parents are busy stuffing Tuesday Envelopes (Central's informal postal system between home and school). Peek in a kindergaren classrooom and find students having a spirited debate over whether Monet or Van Gogh is the best painter, while over in Room C, you might see a fourth grade buddy reading his "Healthy You Guide," that he wrote for his first grade partner. Visit fifth grade, and you'll hear teacher and students discussing partial products strategy in multiplication and its connection to place value. While in second grade, you'll find students pensively at work on adding ideas and voice to their writing as they refer to their kid-friendly rubrics.
Recess will find students playing on the community-built play structure which was funded by Central's nationally acclaimed recycling program, "Getting Green." Others may be reading, drawing or playing chess in the library while enjoying classical music. Displays of student work from our Art in Action program fill the hallway and classroom walls with color, and validate Central's commitment to the arts. Parents are everywhere: facilitating in the computer lab, leading a class in Music for Minors, assisting in the classrooms, or working behind the scenes on Central's disaster preparedness plan.
We are proud of our 2005 Academic Performance Index (API) of 901, an increase of 35 points from the previous year, and we recognize that success at Central is not an accident. The consistent growth of our students' achievement is due to a combination of exemplary teachers providing balanced, rich, standardized instruction, huge parent involvement, and a safe and nurturing environment where all students are valued and fully included.
Central Elementary School
525 Middle Rd.
Belmont
CA 94002-2130
- School District: Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District
- CDS Code: 41688666043434
- Principal: Cori McKenzie
- Grades: 0-5
- Students Enrolled: 355
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