Cypress Trails Elementary showcases clubs and after‑school program as tests predict improvement
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Summary
Principal Salter presented Cypress Trails Elementary’s expanded clubs and after‑school offerings — including a 200‑student after‑school program, cheer and Lionettes, and an elementary eSports team headed to regional finals — and shared predicted school‑grade gains and targeted tutoring for low performers.
Principal Salter told the Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board on Feb. 9 that Cypress Trails Elementary’s expanded extracurriculars and targeted interventions are contributing to academic gains.
Salter introduced the school’s house system, calling it “the heart and soul of our school,” and said the school now emphasizes student choice and leadership through more than 30 clubs. Mrs. Annie Allison, director of the school’s after‑school program, said, “We do have 200 students in our after school program and we have 16 dedicated staff members,” and described added morning care, summer camp and a student incentive called Cub Bucks used to teach financial literacy.
Why it matters: The showcase paired extracurricular growth with data points Salter said show improvement. The school is predicted at 66 percent for overall school‑grade points, with reading predicted at 67 percent and science at 74 percent. Salter said third‑grade reading remains a focus (predicted at 57 percent) and outlined tutoring and Title I supports for the school’s lowest‑performing students.
Cypress Trails also highlighted performing arts and competitive opportunities. Salter noted the Lionettes and cheer teams perform in the community and at Royal Palm Beach High School; the school’s elementary eSports club, presented by Mr. Rogerio and Mr. Barnes, reported its team (the “Beach Turtles”) will compete in South Florida finals March 7 at a Safe Schools venue in Boca. Mr. Rogerio said the program teaches collaboration and communication, not just screen time.
The board and Mayor Jeff Amara praised the house model and extracurricular engagement as drivers of attendance and student belonging. Salter described scheduling and staffing choices meant to preserve instructional time while expanding band, SECMI (science, engineering, communication, mathematics, enrichment), chess, a Girls Excelling in Math and Science (GEMS) partnership and a marathon‑running club.
Salter also highlighted specific classroom gains: kindergarten proficiency at 44 percent (district 32 percent), several grade‑level reading and math improvements, and a sixth‑grade math class with his highest performing results. He said the school’s predicted overall proficiency is 66 percent and that staff are using small‑group instruction, volunteer tutors and a three‑month Title I boot camp to raise outcomes.
Looking ahead, Salter asked residents to attend kindergarten kickoff on April 8 (8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.) and encouraged families to follow the school’s Facebook page for updates.
Quote: “We do have 200 students in our after school program and we have 16 dedicated staff members,” Mrs. Annie Allison said, describing the scope of the program.
Next step: The board accepted the presentation and invited Cypress Trails to remain for regional reports; the school will continue tutoring and outreach efforts.
