Mission Statement:

The mission of Otwell Elementary School, in partnership with parents, the community, and business, is to provide a safe, positive, caring environment to stimulate personal and academic growth. We believe that it is our goal to challenge students to acquire and utilize skills and knowledge which foster continued success in learning and in life.

Vision Statement:

We believe that all students deserve a learning environment in which each child is placed appropriately and thereby receives an individualized, challenging curriculum that is exploratory, yet strongly embedded in the core subjects and the state standards. We believe that all students deserve structure in their school day that includes a clear understanding of what is expected of them in both their class work and behavior. With these expectations should also come a balance in understanding failure as well as understanding success in endeavors, in both educational and personal pursuits. We believe that all students deserve to always live in an environment that is safe whether it it at school, at home, on the school bus, or in the community at large. Finally, we believe that all students deserve to be respected and have respect for themselves as well as those around them.

All adults in our community are living by these core convictions daily and, as a result, all teachers work with a curriculum that is practical and pragmatic, yet one that allows student to explore within safe confines. Teachers work diligently to make sure that all lessons are interesting and taught at an appropriate pace and level for all students. There is an obvious relationship of mutual respect between teacher and students. The parents of students in the school make sure that their children are sent to the desire to be involved in and encourage their children's education, to read to and with their children, and to keep in constant contact with their children's teachers to monitor progress. Community members are aware of school events and remind the children to work hard to have current and future successes in life.

In this environment where all adults are living by their core conviction, students are at school on time every day, clean, fed, and dressed appropriately, ready to learn. All students practice responsibility for themselves and others, work to the best of their ability, accept challenges in their schoolwork, and show continuous improvement. All students are equipped with everything from needed school supplies to the skills and information necessary to make sound decisions in real life situations. Teachers are current in their classroom practices, making learning fun yet challenging every day. Parents, teachers, and student are in active and positive communication.