Tuesday’s special meeting of the Homestead Valley Community Council was held at Landers Elementary to highlight some of the ways the school is using a drop in enrollment to its advantage. Reporter Mike Lipsitz brings us this story; it’s one that will make parents with youngsters in grades kindergarten through sixth sit up and take notice…
Attendees heard about some of the things that distinguish Landers Elementary from others in the district. Low enrollment in recent years has led to speculation the school could close. And while that rumor appears unfounded, the real consequence of low enrollment, presently 140 students, is a small class size of 15 to 17 students per teacher, nearly half that of other schools. Parents, teachers and administrators described how low student/teacher ratios there have instilled a family atmosphere. Chancey Hartman of Joshua Tree said she finds it worthwhile driving her first grader to the school. She said it’s a school with no bullying, where everyone knows each other’s name, and where her child’s education and outlook have excelled. Hartman is one of several parents who have taken advantage of the school’s small class sizes and policy of accepting student transfers without regard to residency. Principal John Lowe reiterated that any student K through sixth grade may enroll at Landers Elementary no matter where they live.
