Woodlawn Elementary principal highlights growth, inclusion and classroom supports

Miss Bloss, principal of Woodlawn Elementary School, told the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board on April 3 that the school enrolled 683 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade and has seen measurable academic gains after COVID-related declines.

The school’s presentation emphasized inclusion, targeted intervention and a schoolwide engagement event. “I am so excited to be here, and thank you to everybody for allowing us to showcase our amazing school,” Miss Bloss said during the presentation.

Woodlawn’s score on the state accountability summary (SPS) was reported as 82.7; the principal said the school’s progress score was 0.4 and that the school rose about five percentage points this year after pandemic setbacks. School leaders pointed to strong subgroup growth: the African American subgroup improved from a C to a B, economically disadvantaged students improved from a C to a B, and the school’s English-language-learners (ELLs) ranked in the 93rd percentile statewide for growth, the presentation said.

Miss Bloss described a schoolwide kickoff called “Rock Your School,” themed this year as the “greatest school on Earth,” in which classrooms and lessons were circus-themed to boost student engagement. She also described Woodlawn’s staffing and instructional supports: about 75 teachers and paraprofessionals districtwide in the building, three inclusion teachers who rotate across grade bands, and two ELL teachers who push into classrooms.

“We are full inclusion,” Miss Bloss said, describing the practice of moving students from pull-out resource rooms into regular classrooms and adding that teachers welcomed the change. She highlighted individual success stories to illustrate the approach, including a student who staff had expected to require a more restrictive placement but who is now in the school’s top honors class.

Administrators and board members asked about spreading Woodlawn’s practices across the district. Board member Powell Lewis asked whether Miss Bloss could mentor other principals; Superintendent Cole and staff confirmed Miss Bloss has presented at principal meetings and will continue to share practices. The principal and staff credited consistent support and frequent, practical assistance to teachers—buying requested materials, staffing for interventions, and making leadership available for classroom issues—as key to retention and success.

School-level assessment details given in the presentation included DIBELS midyear results (around 70% benchmark and above district comparison) and a third-grade benchmark rate reported at 75%. LEAP results showed notably strong growth in third grade across subject areas compared with the prior year, the principal said. ELL benchmark percentages cited in the presentation by grade were: kindergarten 74%, first grade 95%, second grade 68%, third grade 84%.

On staffing and class size, Miss Bloss said fourth- and fifth-grade classes run as high as about 27–28 students, while inclusion-class caps are kept nearer 20 to allow additional adult support. The presentation said most teachers were certified and that the school had three teachers new this year; only one staff departure (retirement) was reported so far for the year.

Miss Bloss introduced assistant principals Troy Boatner and Johnny Wilson and credited them and other staff with day-to-day leadership. Board members praised the presentation and asked staff to consider ways to replicate successful practices in other schools.

The presentation closed with a reminder of school-community partnerships: Woodlawn’s neighboring high school brings student athletes and cheerleaders to read to younger students, and special events included a visiting circus performer and coordinated themed lessons.

Board members did not take formal action on the presentation. The board’s comments focused on whether Woodlawn’s practices could be scaled, questions about teacher retention, and offers to use the principal as a mentor.