About Our School
Washington School
Washington School is located at 815 W. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Illinois. Originally, Washington was a K-6 building, but in the early nineties with Challand Junior High School adopting a middle school philosophy, sixth grade students were moved from Washington to Challand. In 2003, with the District’s move to attendance centers, Washington became a 3-5 building. Students from Franklin and Washington were combined to create the new attendance center.
We currently serve 426 students within the school. Washington serves 154 third graders (in six classrooms), 139 fourth graders (in five classrooms), and 134 fifth graders (in five classrooms). Our class sizes range from 25-30 students. Our students range from 8 to 12 years of age. Washington has 54 staff members; 31 certified staff (all highly qualified), 22 support staff. In addition, we have a full-time counselor. Washington School has a full-time Title I teacher, a full-time literacy coach, and a full-time 3rd and 4th grade enrichment/RtI interventionist. Washington School is one of four elementary attendance centers in the Sterling School District.
The Building
Built in 1951, Washington School was opened for the 1952-53 school year. The south wing addition was completed in 1957. Over the past several years window shades have been installed in each of the classrooms and roof top ventilation fans have been repaired to decrease the effects of heat on students and staff. An air handler was installed in the gymnasium to improve air flow and ultimately allowed the temperature in the gym to be more easily regulated.
Various support groups and community organizations use Washington school well into the evening. Project SOON, (sponsored by Sterling Township) provides an after-school tutoring program for Washington students two days per week. Project SOON also provides an after-school bilingual tutoring program for Washington students. Other community organizations that use Washington include the YMCA with their after-school child care, the YWCA Techgyrls program, as well as a Girl Scout group and a Brownie Troop.
Parent and Student Involvement
Washington students and their parents are very involved in school life. Various activities have been held at Washington such as Gathering for Grandparents, Muffins for Mom and Donuts for Dad. Search Institute of Minneapolis, has identified 40 key building blocks (also known as Assets) of healthy development that help young people grow up caring and competent. It is a goal of Washington School to increase assets of its students. We feel the community involvement is an important part of increasing these assets.
Washington/Franklin PTO sponsors a family reading night and a scholastic book fair is held in conjuction with the open house. The Washington/Franklin PTO also sponsors a fun fair for students and families. A clothing exchange is held in the fall. All area families are invited to attend. Events are well attended by students, families, and staff.
Washington students also are involved in community life. Students at Washington participated in the United Way Penny drive with P.T. Penguin, Toys for Tots, and Pennies for Leukemia. This year we will participate in the St. Jude's Math-A-Thon. Students participated in two food drives: one for all the local food pantries in conjunction with the high school, and one for the Salvation Army at Christmas. A very successful collection for Happy Tails Animal Shelter was conducted last year. Student Council is very active at Washington School. This group has sponsored numerous activities raising money for several charitable organizations. All were very successful and students learned a lesson in caring and sharing.
Washington also sends out a monthly newsletter, "Warrior Wisdom", in an English and Spanish version, along with an assets newsletter, in order to keep parents up-to-date on what is going on in the coming month and what has happened in the months since school started. Mr. Fortney has added a monthly podcast to the Washington School website featuring upcoming events and pictures from events of the previous month.
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