James W. Wilson Jr. Elementary School … The Home of the Rangers

Our Vision

Our vision at Wilson Elementary is to prepare students for 21st century learning by enabling them to become explorers of knowledge, encouraging them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, and actively participate in global learning exchanges.

Our Mission

Wilson Elementary School develops and encourages students to be productive and responsible lifelong learners by providing a challenging and stimulating curriculum taught by an innovative, professional staff, in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. Students are nurtured in an environment created specifically for the needs of their age group in which they are encouraged to develop a sense of self-confidence, self-respect, and self-reliance.

Who are we?

James W. Wilson Jr. Elementary School (Wilson) is a suburban, public elementary school

located in one of Montgomery, Alabama’s fastest growing areas in east Montgomery, off Ray

Thorington Road. It is the newest elementary school that is part of the Montgomery Public

School System. The groundbreaking ceremony began construction on May 29, 2008 of the

83,762 square foot facility which opened for its first school term in August, 2009.

Who is our namesake?

Wilson Elementary bears the name James W. Wilson, Jr., a well-known community leader,

philanthropist, and real estate developer, with notable projects throughout the southeast. Mr.

Wilson, who died in 2006, was a visionary. He established the Jim Wilson Jr. and Winona Wilson

Family Foundation, which has generously supported the arts, athletics, education, and health

research. Will Wilson, president of Jim Wilson & Associates said, “Dad was a giver and he gave

’til it hurt,” and “he felt like God had blessed him with a lot of things and one of them was his

financial ability and that it was his responsibility to give back to the community.”

What is our history?

The family of the late Jim W. Wilson, Jr. generously donated the sprawling 15 areas of land on

which Wilson Elementary is built. It is located in the New Park Community, a very large scale,

multi-faceted planned community, which was and is being developed by Jim Wilson &

Associates LLC.

Originally a gymnasium was included in the projected school design. However, subsequently, a

proposal was made to the Wilson family to donate additional land and funds to build a YMCA

adjacent to the school. A unique agreement between the school and the YMCA would forge a

partnership which allows the school to utilize the YMCA gymnasium during school hours, thus

reduces the cost of the building of a separate gymnasium as part of the school. A YMCA was

designed and built in cooperation with Wilson School. It too bears the James W. Wilson, Jr.

name. Additionally the Wilson family generously paid for the roads that lead to the school and

the YMCA facility. Jim Wilson III said, “New Park was an investment of property that his father

had bought years ago and it was going to be a long-term investment and they are built in the

heart of the community.”

The Wilson family considers the school and the YMCA a gift to the

community and another way to honor their father’s memory and

legacy. The close ties between the school and the YMCA provide an

incredible nurturing atmosphere for students and a place where

families grow together in a community that promotes positive

values and healthy lifestyles.

Who designed us?

The firm of Godwin - Jones Architecture & Interior Design, Inc. designed the school around the

standards that were developed by noted national consultant, William S. DeJong, Ph.D., REFP,

who is known for handling all aspects of school facility planning. Godwin - Jones developed a

facility using the most efficient and cost-effective use of space, and one which became a quality

learning environment. The following video (please click on link) was produced by Godwin –

Wilson who graciously assisted us with this “Who are we?” endeavor. Wilson Elementary was

designed using a park theme, the learning pods are grouped by national parks and according to

grade level.

The first park, Glacier Bay, houses grades Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First.

The second park, Yellowstone, houses grades Second and Third.

The third and final park, Grand Canyon, houses grades Fourth and Fifth.

What defines us?

Currently, Wilson Elementary has an enrollment of 567 students and is utilizing a pre-kindergarten to fifth grade-level configuration. The student body is culturally, racially, and economically diverse. Currently, 170 (30%) of our students speak a language other than or in addition to English. Spanish, Korean, German, Vietnamese, Gujarati, Bengali, Portuguese, Arabic, Urdu, Telugu, and Konkani are just some of the languages that can be heard.

Specific ethnicity/race breakdown of race include 35% Black, 33% White, 14% of multi race

and/or Hispanic, and 18% Asian. Economically, 65% do not participate in the federally funded

Child Nutrition Program, whereas, 35% qualify for assistance – 30% receive free meals and 5%

receive reduced-priced meals. Wilson is also honored to have 19% of its student’s families serve

in the armed forces.

Wilson Elementary is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It has a

staff which includes one principal, 31 general education classroom teachers, one English

Language teacher, five special education teachers (two autistic, one gifted, one speech, and one

resource), one reading coach, one guidance counselor, and one librarian. The following is a

breakdown of the staff by degree: one (2%) Educational Doctorates, two (5%) Educational

Specialists, 17 (44%) Masters, and 21 (49%) Bachelors.

All staff members are deemed as “Highly Qualified” for their positions. This provides the

student body with a knowledgeable and well-balanced staff. Additionally, Wilson has one

National Board Certified Teacher. The staff also includes five highly-qualified Para -

professionals (three of which have Bachelors (60%) assist with our two autistic classes and one

who aides the pre-kindergarteners).

An Alabama's state funded pre-kindergarten (pre-k) program, First Class, which was rated the

nation’s best for overall quality, opened this year at Wilson. The pre-k is voluntary and is

chosen by lottery and is paid for by parent’s tuition and a state grant. This program provides an

effective, high quality, early childhood experience that is preparing 18 four-year-old children for

school success and lifelong learning. The current class is comprised of ten males (56%) and eight

(44%) females. Eight (44%) students are English Language Learners. Specific ethnicity/race

breakdown includes six Hispanic (33%), five White (28%) of which includes a set of quadruplets,

five Black (28%), one Korean (5.5%), and one Arabic (5.5%). Economically, 56% (10) do not

participate in the federally funded Child Nutrition Program, whereas, 44% qualify for assistance

- 22% (4) receive free meals, and 22% (4) receive reduced-priced meals.

Has Wilson been recognized or been given any special honors/awards?

During its first year, Wilson earned several awards: Montgomery Public Schools Red Carpet

Award, an award that recognizes schools that excel in providing good customer service, and

achieved both Model and Master Renaissance status. A fourth grade science student and

teacher won a School Garden/Landscape Contest sponsored by Montgomery Parks and

Recreation.

How are we preparing our students for the 21st century?

Our vision at Wilson Elementary is to prepare students for 21st century learning by enabling them to become explorers of knowledge, encouraging them to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, and actively participate in global learning exchanges.

Learning to Learn with Digital Learning and Early Literacy There is a big difference between knowing how to surf the Internet for games to play and knowing how to use technology to learn. Students who attend Wilson Elementary are growing up with a real-world aptitude for technology; they are digital natives and their literacy begins in a Pre Kindergarten classroom and continues to be developed throughout their time at Wilson. Interactive and multimedia lessons are a living and breathing part of the curriculum and the teachers enhance teaching and learning by utilizing technology-based learning tools such as SMART Boards/interactive whiteboards, Flip Video Cameras, Assessment Clickers, Elmo document cameras, Podcasts, blogs, lap top and iPad mobile labs, and Web 2.0 tools to differentiate instruction into the curriculum and engage students. Each and every teacher at Wilson has a detailed web page with lesson plans, assignments, podcasts, and special links in order to enhance the communication with their parents and students.

SMART Notebook software has also been instrumental in helping Wilson’s teachers implement the Understanding by Design (UbD) instructional model. Because UbD focuses on the importance of understanding in all its potential facets, it’s important to use tools that help all students connect with the curriculum. This philosophy is evidenced by the way teachers build technology into their UbD strategies. “Once we’ve come up with the key concepts, essential questions and performance tasks, then we start planning all of our lessons using Notebook software.” Part of their process involves ensuring that lessons address all students’ needs. Differentiation in the lessons helps to achieve UbD goals. “You can have one lesson for all students – it can include more challenging activities for some students and additional support for those who are struggling.” Technology enhances lessons and makes them better, it is not an add-on. This philosophy is evidenced by the way the teachers build technology into their strategies.

Interactive, multimedia lessons are an integral part of the curriculum and structure of Wilson. It is a structure that is bound to help students find success in a world where technology is part of almost every cubicle, office, and boardroom in North America. The student’s technology skills include word processing applications, multimedia presentations, digital storytelling, spreadsheets, electronic graphing tools, producing digital works using digital tools, and using digital environments to collaborate and communicate.

How is the community (parents – PTA) involved?

Wilson Elementary is proud to be part of the Wilson family and the New Park community. The

school has a very active parent association that is involved daily as school volunteers and

tutors. The PTA also sponsors events such as Donuts for Dads, Muffins for Moms, Fall Festival,

the Santa Store, and Spring Fling. The Wilson PTA works to bring a closer relation between the

home and the school so that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education

of children and youth.

Do Wilson’s students participate in any clubs?

City Councilman Glen Pruitt and the Fifth and Sixth grade teachers organized the first ever

Student Government Association (SGA) at Wilson Elementary. Some of their events have

included school dances, adoption of families in the Angel Tree network, and sold shamrocks to

raise money for muscular dystrophy. The students have also been involved this year in

collecting food for the Montgomery Area Food Bank.

Has Wilson been accepted in the community?

Wilson Elementary has had donations and support from Alabama Representative Greg Wren

for the development of the Wilson Elementary outdoor classroom with assistance and technical

direction from Doyle Keasel, an Environmental Specialist with the Alabama Wildlife Federation.

Senator Larry Dixon, State Representative David Grimes, and the Montgomery Sunshine

Rotary Club donated money the first year to purchase technology equipment for the

classrooms.

District 8, Councilman Glen Pruitt, Jr. donated money for the construction of two playgrounds and outdoor basketballs goals. Dr. Lisa Olenik Dorman, chair and professor of the Department of

Sport Science and Physical Education of Huntingdon College, orchestrated Huntingdon College’s Physical Education Department and their donation of equipment, affording Wilson’s physical education’s year one the ability to follow state standards. Former AUM - Associate

Head Basketball coach, Nigel Card donated basketballs to be used in the PE department. Rheem Corporation donated library books for our kindergarten students and our partner, Walmart, donated paper, teacher gift cards, and items for the individual classrooms. Additional Partners in Education are Vaughn Forrest Church, Aliant Bank, New Park, Bonnie Plant Farm, Legends at Taylor Lakes, and the Money Store.