Scott Mehlberg’s PE class met for an outdoor round of capture-the-flag in the woods on the beautiful Harrison campus.

If you ask a child what their favorite part of school is, it is needless to say answers vary. Some love recess, others their friends, and some, some may say the bus ride home. However, students at Harrison Elementary’s answers to this question were nearly all the same — their teachers.

If you ask Harrison Elementary Principal Lee Snider what makes his school special, he will gently correct you on what makes his corporation special — their mission statement.

“Our mission is to inspire and equip all students to continuously acquire and apply knowledge and skills while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others,” stated Snider during a tour of Harrison. “Everything comes back to our mission statement… equipping all students, regardless of disabilities and backgrounds.”

Enriching the lives of others is a mission Warsaw Community School Corporation has undertaken to ensure their students receive more than just high quality education.

Students utilize STEM during class.

Taking a quick break from “capture the flag” during Scott Mehlberg’s outdoor gym class, students explained why their teachers were special. “They are really nice. They teach us in fun ways that are hands on.”

Hands-on learning is an important component in the recipe of what makes Harrison an “A” grade school by the state accountability rating. Utilizing technology, student based learning models and peer collaboration, teachers at Harrison are reaching students at their level.

A great example of this shines through Title I teacher Lee Ann Miner, who meets with students struggling with reading. The program reaches students in first, second and third grade to provide individualized instruction to help students read at their grade levels. According to Miner, she meets with between 30-50 students in each respective grade level to provide an intervention time for students including EL and special needs students.

“It is a collaboration effort,” explained Miner. “We focus on the best possible thing for all kids.”

Jodi Leek, a kindergarten teacher and inquiry mentor, felt the same. Utilizing technology and STEM-based learning, Leek is attempting to engage students and equip them with problem solving skills they can use in their day-to-day lives.

“The sixth grade 1:1 iPad initiative enhances learning in all academic areas,” stated sixth grade teacher Melissa Landwerlen.

“Students are learning to solve problems with partners and on their own. We are teaching them to solve their own problems instead of teacher solving. What is important is students are engaged in new activities that enhance their learning experience.”

Collaboration and meeting students needs on a personalized level is also achieved through staff collaboration. Third grade math instructors Ashley Doty, Emily Grimm, Tyler Runkle, and Katie Maile explained how the implementation of professional learning communities has made a world of difference in teaching struggling students.

“As a team, we are planning together to specifically focus on eight power learning standards in math. We target students who need assistance through pretests on standards,” explained Runkle.

“We look at results and reteach, remediate and enrich student learning. Students can learn at their own level and pace. We teach to meet their needs by using four brains instead of one. This keeps students from slipping through the cracks,” stated Doty.

In terms of enriching student learning, Harrison offers students numerous options on their 43-acre campus. From stargazing in their very own observatory, to gardening, playing in a wooded enclosure during gym, and even visiting an old, log school house, students are experiencing learning in a very unique way.

Though the school boasts fantastic amenities, none of them equal what is most important in Snider’s eyes — what is best for all students.

“We make all decisions based on student learning. We focus on what is best for all students,” stated Snider.