(revised September 2020)
Quail Summit (QS) Elementary School is nestled in the hills of Diamond Bar in the Walnut Valley School District. The school mission and core beliefs can be summarized in its motto: The School with a Heart. A diverse student population is cultivated academically and socially, including Asian (60%), White (13%), Hispanic (16%), African-American (4%), and Filipino (4%). Labeled high-performing, Quail Summit is both a California Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School. The students benefit from a wealth of teaching experience at QS. Our teachers have an average of 20.6 years of teaching experience, with 92% of our staff holding master's degrees.
QS houses 25 general education classrooms, two classrooms accommodating students with a variety of disabilities, a multipurpose room with a stage for performing arts, a library media center/computer lab, and a host of offices for support staff. A kitchen serves hot and cold lunches recommended by the National Food Program, and children eat outside on a covered patio. There are additional structures adjacent to the main building that house fourth and fifth grades, extended day kindergarten and our before and after-school enrichment.
The full time certificated staff includes 27 teachers, one educational specialist, and principal. Part-time certificated staff includes a speech/language specialist, reading intervention teacher, and two school psychologists. Part-time classified staff includes an ELD aide and four Specialized Academic Instruction class aides, as well as multiple itinerant teachers in vocal and instrumental music, adapted and general physical education, and guidance counseling. All full-time teachers are credentialed and meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind. Ongoing staff development is a priority for the refinement of research-based teaching strategies.
QS's rigorous curricular program is based on Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Even though QS is a high-performing school, we continue to seek ways to close the achievement gap for all students. Our belief is that there is always room for improvement in meeting our students' needs. In order to monitor students' learning throughout the year, teachers administer ongoing assessments in reading/language arts and mathematics with district-adopted benchmarks. All classes have follow the Common Core Standards. The School Site Council allocates funds for staff development, student materials and supplies, and personnel to meet the goals of the school plan. The Community Club parent group supports field trips, technology and other student centered expenses. T
QS assures every student equal access to the core curriculum. An Educational Specialist provides additional support to improve skills identified in the Individualized Educational Program (IEP) as well as intervention to students at risk. QS practices inclusion throughout the school evidenced by cooperative learning, addressing multiple intelligences and differentiated instruction within lessons.
QS integrates quality Character Education throughout the instructional program. This program is revised regularly. School-wide assemblies and Spirit Days focus on the positive values and character traits of responsibility, respect, compassion, courage, and service. A school-wide bully prevention program is implemented in grades 4 and 5. An anonymous survey is conducted regularly online to assess students' safety and school culture for grades 3-5. We have site implementation of Positive Behavioral Intervention Systems (PBIS). Quail Summit is a wonderful place to learn and grow.
