The Little School on the Prairie is awarded for excellence in the classroom

DEAF SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KVII) — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently announced that Walcott ISD is one of 26 Texas public schools nominated for 2018 Blue Ribbon Schools recognition. Walcott Elementary is one of eleven schools nominated in the Exemplary-High Performing Schools category.

“The reason we do so well is we have a small school atmosphere,” said Darla Bryant, principal/sixth grade teacher. “We have about 15 to 18 students per classroom and we only have one grade per class.”

Superintendent Bill Sam McLaughlin tells ABC 7 News one reason why the district is nominated and has won national recognition in the past is due to the academic freedom he affords the teachers.

“I don’t go in and tell them how to teach,” said Bill Sam McLaughlin, Walcott ISD Superintendent. “They know they’re all better teachers than I ever was.”

“If they come out here and visit the school the parents see that were a one hall school,” said Bryant. “Kids come here and there not going to get lost in the hallways and bathrooms. I think parents appreciate that and want that for their children.”

In May of 2017, voters passed a $1,150,000 bond allowing the district to expand the campus. Plans are to add four new classrooms and the expand the current library.

“We’re able to keep going because people keep choosing this school,” said McLaughlin.

Winning academic honors is something the staff takes great pride in. In 2004, Walcott ISD was recognized and honored by the U.S. Department of Education. McLaughlin insists all teachers drive school buses before and after school to transport students and there are no meetings in between bells. Teachers have meetings in the summer months.

“The teacher-pupil time together is the most important thing,” said McLaughlin.

“That’s very important so many people are pulled out of the classrooms for meetings,” said Jobie Berend, teacher. “That takes away from classroom time. We get to spend more time teaching.

The campus was built in 1950 and has a current enrollment of 125 in Pre-K through sixth grade. The new expansion also features a tornado shelter providing more safety for students and staff during severe weather. Each nominated school has an economically disadvantaged population of 39 percent or higher. The rate at Walcott ISD is 67 percent according to a Rewards School Case Study Report, done in 2015/16 by the TEA and Texas Comprehensive Center.