Sheridan's students are amazing young people.

Targeted Education:
The Foundation of Sheridan Elementary

The staff of Sheridan Elementary deeply believes students learn as individuals.  We believe students learn best when their educational experience is tailored to them, when their assignments are uniquely assigned for them, and when teachers can focus on the needs of the individual instead of the needs of an entire classroom. From these principles, Sheridan Elementary developed the school philosphy of Targeted Education.

Targeted Education means individual lessons and assignments

Each classroom utilizes Renaissance Learning computer tools to augment the lessons given in class.  After a math lesson, students complete assignments based on the lesson.  At the end of the assignment, students scan their assignment into the computer, which grades each problem and instantaneously tells the teacher how each student is doing.  Students who need more practice or assistance from the teacher can get it.  Students who understand the material completely can get more challenging work.  The classroom teacher knows immediately and conclusively what the students have learned and what they have not.  Classroom time can by more focused on specific instruction. Sheridan also uses Renaissance Learning products to augment reading and writing curriculums. 

Our library is always open. Classes come to the library at least once a week, but students can and do come to the library any time and can choose any book to read from our 10,000 plus title collection.  Students are able to wander the

Targeted education means looking at students as individuals, not as members of a large group.

shelves looking for a book that interests them or use our computerized card catalogue that allows students to search our collection by reading level, theme, keywords, or author.  Each book has a colored dot on the spine that indicates the reading level of the book, and our books are categorized by theme, author, reading level, etc.  After a student has read a book, they can take a can quiz on the computer to assess their comprehension of the book.  This information tells the teachers how well their students are reading and also helps the librarian suggest books individual students might be interested in reading.  Students also earn points by taking reading tests and can use these points to get awards, such as lunch in the library, painting in the library, 30 minutes of free time in the computer lab, etc.

Sheridan students also read in small reading communities.  These communities are small groups of students from a wide range of reading levels led by a single staff member that read books together out loud.  These groups change periodically, and offer students the opportunity of individual attention from teachers while they improve their reading skills.

Targeted Education means options

Sheridan also offers a multitude of out of class options, such as assistance for English Language Learners, classes for gifted and talented students, speech assistance, special ed, school band, student council, recycling team, patrols, etc., that allows parents and students more resources than the classroom model of education can offer alone.  Students participate in our new school store, run for student council, participate in band, and take

6th graders read the articles that interest them for their current events work.

classes in English.  Or they can take gifted and talented classes, participate in the school patrol program and also get special education assistance for some areas.  At Sheridan, all students are unique.  We believe in providing all the services we can and allowing students, teachers and parents to choose which extra experiences will be the most fulfilling for the students. 

Targeted Education means results

Sheridan's scores are rising.  For the last four years, are reading and math scores have improved in every grade.  Our staff is made up of a combination of new, fresh teachers and established veterans.  Our commitment to Targeted Education includes furnishing our computer lab with over 30 top-of-the-line machines.  Each classroom has at least one computer, and some have two.  The vast majority of classroom and computer lab computers are less than a year and a half old.  While some schools cope with budget deficits by cutting teaching positions, Sheridan elementary retains its teachers in order to maintain small class sizes and keeps its specialists to provide options for its learners.  Sheridan Elementary is one of a very few St. Paul Public Schools that has gone so far as to hire a half time computer tech to insure the schools computer systems are running well, and that when they are not, that they are fixed immediately. 

Sheridan Elementary is committed to not just talking about results, but producing them.  It is an environment where learning is not just possible; it is a place where learning happens.  Sheridan Elementary is a place where education is targeted.