Waterville Elementary School finds efficiencies in combined classroom settings

by Kelli Boylen
freelance writer

The idea of combined classrooms is not always popular, but Waterville Elementary Principal Joe Griffith says the concept is not only working there, but it is working well. “The current model is proving to be very effective,” he says. “We are far more efficient as well.”
And the efficiency Griffith is referring to is not just economical - although there are two fewer full-time teachers at Waterville Elementary than there were four years ago, but that they are better able to educate all students. “We are better able to serve all the kids, especially those with special needs," he explained. "By educating them together we are better able to think outside the box.”
About five years ago, the position of fourth grade teacher was divided to be part-time Title One teacher and part-time fourth grade teacher. The fourth, fifth and sixth grade students started moving to different teachers for different subjects in a process called departmentalization. This eliminated the previous full-time Title One teaching position.
Three years ago the first combined classroom at Waterville began, with two teachers each spending part of the day with first, second and third graders in their rooms at the same time. This year, all of the first through sixth graders at Waterville Elementary spend part of their day in combined classrooms: first and second grades are together, third and fourth grades are together, as are fifth and sixth grades. Other parts of the school day are spent in specific subjects with different teachers. All first through sixth grade students move to different classrooms throughout the day for departmentalized instruction.
The combined classroom system this year also allowed for the elimination of one grade-level teacher. With the average teacher salary in the Allamakee Community School District being $50,220 (without benefits), the elimination of this position, along with the previously eliminated Title One position, has saved the district more than $100,000 annually.
Griffith also noted that in the last five years Waterville Elementary has also reduced the principal from a full-time to part-time position, “dramatically” reduced custodial hours, and reduced the secretary position from full-time to part-time. The new boilers in the building are also significantly more energy efficient.
In recent years, the number of students per grade level at Waterville Elementary has ranged from nine to 19, so changes to how the classes are combined have been made as the numbers have fluctuated.
This year the first and second grade classroom has 23 students, the third and fourth grade combined classroom as 26 students and the combined fifth and sixth grade has 19 students. In the foreseeable future, Griffith expects the current set-up to continue to meet the students’ needs. Of course, if class sizes would increase or decrease, this may need to be adjusted.
Grades one through six are departmentalized in reading, math and language arts instruction in the mornings.  Afternoons consist of multi-age age classes focused on science and social studies.  Each day is a little different due to the specials schedule and what works best for the students. “We want to keep making this even better,” says Griffith. “And we will keep making adjustments as needed.”
He adds, “One of our greatest strengths is the willingness of the teachers to adapt and change. They are dedicated to helping our students be successful.”
Griffith says the biggest challenge was when they initially combined first, second and third grades several years ago. “It took some work convincing people. Not everyone believed it would work well.”
This year when it was announced all students, grades one through six, would be in combined classrooms the community was supportive. “This year it was much easier, because now the parents know it can work.”
Griffith says he has received some questions so far this year about how the schedule is structured, but he has not received any specific complaints. Overall, students, parents and teachers have welcomed the change as they understand the benefits of having kids attend a local school.
As part of the changes, three recesses have been reduced to two so that there is no loss of instructional time due to the students moving from room to room and settling in. Young students may not have as close of a connection to their teacher as they would have if they were with the same adult all day, but this also exposes them to more personalities and ideas.
Griffith explained that sometimes tracking small groups though the Iowa Test of Basic Skills can be difficult statistically, so they may not necessarily be a side-by-side comparison of scores. That being said, test scores remain strong at Waterville.
The current fifth grade class has been combined with other classes since they were first graders, and Griffith says they “performed well on the Iowa Tests, beyond the expected grade level.”
He also noted that the Waterville Parents for Progress group has been a huge help by supporting education in their community. Not only do they provide funds for materials in each classroom and for special projects, but great family-centered activities though the school year.