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West Elementary reports rising scores, launches anxiety-support pilot and expands family engagement
Summary
West Elementary Principal Martha Dueser presented a three-year improvement summary citing enrollment growth, rising assessment scores (notably fifth-grade gains), expansion of PBIS and effective-effort initiatives, and plans to pilot an International OCD Foundation anxiety-support program in the CARE (sub-separate) program.
Martha Dueser, principal of West Elementary School, presented the school's three-year improvement summary and described several initiatives credited with steady gains in student outcomes, particularly in fourth- and fifth-grade measures.
Dueser reported enrollment of 361 students, with "3 care homerooms," 24% of students receiving special education services, 11.6% identified as English-language learners and 31% economically disadvantaged; she stressed the school is not Title I. "This is our school vision statement," Dueser told the committee as she reviewed outcomes and engagement efforts.
Dueser highlighted several programs and metrics: an "effective effort" initiative based on growth-mindset practices; an expanded PBIS recognition program and assemblies; EdTV morning announcements produced by students; stronger use of paraprofessionals in co-teaching and small-group instruction; and measurable STAR assessment gains across grades that fed into higher MCAS accountability percentiles (West reported movement from the 40th percentile in 2022 to the 69th percentile in 2024 on selected measures).
She also described a planned pilot partnership with the International OCD Foundation to train staff and create a "train-the-trainer" model for supporting students with anxiety in the CARE program, with the foundation providing resources and staff training. Dueser said the goal is to equip student-support staff and paraprofessionals to better push into general education classrooms, supporting inclusion while preserving program-level supports.
Committee members praised the school's community engagement initiatives (book kickoff, morning show, assemblies) and asked clarifying questions about how counseling and paraprofessional deployment support academic gains. Dueser credited a strong staff and coach support network for the improvements and said the school will continue to scale programs next year.
