Nitsch Elementary School Klein Independent School District Prepared by: Irazema Ortiz School Profile

Nitsch Elementary School School Snapshot 4702 West Mount Houston Houston, Texas Website: Phone: Fax: School Hours: 7:50 a.m. - 3:20 p.m. Rating: Recognized Enrollment: 850 Mascot: Knight Principal: Carol James Assoc. Principal: Julie Barrett Asst. Principal: Kathy Rachal Counselor: Pam Ogletree 4702 West Mount Houston Houston, Texas Website: Phone: Fax: School Hours: 7:50 a.m. - 3:20 p.m. Rating: Recognized Enrollment: 850 Mascot: Knight Principal: Carol James Assoc. Principal: Julie Barrett Asst. Principal: Kathy Rachal Counselor: Pam Ogletree MISSION STATEMENT Nitsch Elementary will provide learning experiences in a safe, nurturing, and disciplined environment that promotes academic achievement, civic responsibility, and desire to continue learning. With parent and community involvement, we will prepare our students for a lifetime of success.

School History/Rating About Us Nitsch Elementary was built in 1979 and was named for one of the German families that located in the area as immigrants. The Nitsch family arrived in Galveston in 1885 and shortly began farming in the Klein area. Nitsch Elementary is a Texas Education Agency (TEA) Recognized campus for , the first time in school history. Nitsch Elementary is rated a Recognized campus in Klein ISD.

Teachers by Experience

Demographic Data

During , 714 students were on free or reduced lunch, with 104% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch (this number includes all students enrolled at Nitsch sometime during the school year). The current percentage for free/reduced lunch is 69%, but many new students have not yet qualified for free/reduced lunch for this school year. Last year, 84% of students were identified as Economically Disadvantaged. Last year, 6.7% of the students served qualified for special education services. For the past seven years, the attendance rate has remained at a constant 96%.

Campus Description Strengths The school met AYP for the past seven years and was designated a TEA Recognized rated school due to student performance on TAKS tests. The campus did not meet AYP for the school year. Although the attendance rate at Nitsch has remained static from year to year, the school continues to strive towards improving attendance for all students. Areas in which the campus met AYP include Hispanic and LEP Math, and attendance rate.”

Campus Description Needs The student population continues to grow in diversity. Nitsch is committed to continuing to close the achievement gap between diverse groups of students and at-risk and non-at-risk students. Since the campus did not meet AYP for the school year, while continuing to target and meet the learning needs of all students in all academic areas. The school will provide instruction requiring students to think in a deeper, broader, more critical manner. It will strive to build capacity at all grade levels, but particularly at the fifth grade level in regards to the number of teachers that were replaced at that grade level this year.

Student Performance While Nitsch students have made steady increases from year to year while taking the TAKS test, Nitsch students had difficulty with many areas on the 2012 STAAR assessments. Student performance in the area of ELA dropped for “All Students” from 85% to 83% and in Math from 88% to 81% for “All Students.” While some subgroups maintained or improved performance in Math and ELA, many subgroups lost ground from the TAKS 2011 assessment to the STAAR 2012 assessment. Grade 5 students scored 80% in one area and as low as 65% in another. Students did not meet AYP on the STAAR assessment in the following areas: All Students Reading/ELA African American Reading.ELA Economically Disadvantaged Reading/ELA LEP Reading/ELA All Students Math All Students African American All Students, Economically Disadvantaged

More on Student Performance Students did meet AYP in the following areas: Hispanic Reading/ELA LEP Math LEP students continue to make improvements as measured on TELPAS. Kindergarten students scored well on the TRPI, most scoring on or above grade level. Grades 1 and 2 students indicate that they are performing poorly (about 50% of students in these grades are performing below grade level).

Parent Involvement The main goal of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is to work with administration, faculty and the community to better serve the students in the school. Through membership dues and fundraising efforts, the PTO has donated funds to the school to purchase educational materials and equipment. The PTO’s intent is to serve as the link between the home and the school. The PTO meets throughout the year to keep abreast of the programs, activities and concerns of the school. Nitsch volunteers make a huge difference in the lives of the children. Parents and community members are always welcome!

Special Programs In addition to daily opportunities to learn in new ways, students are able to participate in many other activities related to their interests. Music teachers lead the Nitsch Troubadours (a choral group) and the Orffestra (an instrumental group using Orff instruments). Our students have been active in the Mars Rover competition, landing first, second and third place prizes in all areas. Students in grades 4 and 5 can be a part of the Princess Knights or Knight Warriors groups, helping students learn about making good life decisions to grow to be productive men and women. We also have an active group of mentors comprised of both community members and campus personnel. Our Physical Education (P.E.) program is held during the school day and is accessible to all kindergarten through fifth grade students.

Special Programs Knight Warriors (for character education and mentor support) Princess Knights (for character education and mentor support) Orchestra Strings Knight Troubadours (choir) Mars Rover (Science competition) Destination Imagination Student-run bookstore (before school)

Counseling Program The campus counselor focuses on anti-drug violence, character education and anti-bullying programs. The school counselor also actively works with community resources and parent support.