DeMotte Elementary School stands as a beacon of educational excellence in Northwest Indiana, serving young minds with a perfect blend of academic rigor and creative exploration. Since its establishment, this vibrant learning community has shaped countless success stories through its innovative teaching methods and student-centered approach.
From colorful hallways adorned with student artwork to state-of-the-art learning facilities, DeMotte Elementary creates an environment where curiosity thrives and dreams take flight. The school’s dedicated team of educators works tirelessly to nurture each student’s potential while fostering a strong sense of community spirit. It’s not just a school – it’s a place where tomorrow’s leaders begin their journey toward excellence.
About Demotte Elementary School
DeMotte Elementary School serves K-5 students in Northwest Indiana’s Jasper County. The school combines traditional educational methods with innovative learning approaches to create an engaging academic environment.
Location and Campus
DeMotte Elementary sits on a spacious 15-acre campus at 1000 S. Halleck Street in DeMotte, Indiana. The modern facility features 32 classrooms equipped with smart technology infrastructure for enhanced learning experiences. The campus includes a full-size gymnasium, dedicated art studio, music room, media center with computer lab capacity for 30 students. Outdoor facilities encompass multiple playgrounds, sports fields, a nature study area with native Indiana plants.
School Mission and Values
DeMotte Elementary’s mission centers on developing lifelong learners through academic excellence. The core values emphasize respect, responsibility, integrity, determination, excellence. Teachers implement differentiated instruction techniques to meet individual student needs. The school culture promotes parent involvement through regular family events, volunteer opportunities, an active PTO program. Academic programs integrate STEM activities, literacy initiatives, character education to support whole-child development. Students participate in service learning projects that connect classroom lessons to real-world community needs.
Academic Excellence at Demotte
DeMotte Elementary implements research-based educational practices that consistently exceed state academic standards. The school’s comprehensive approach integrates core subjects with enrichment programs to maximize student achievement.
Curriculum Overview
The curriculum at DeMotte Elementary centers on five core subjects: mathematics, language arts, science, social studies & technology. Students engage in hands-on STEM projects three times per week through the Innovation Lab program. Reading instruction follows a balanced literacy approach with 90-minute daily blocks incorporating guided reading, phonics instruction & independent practice. Mathematics education emphasizes problem-solving skills using the Singapore Math method. The curriculum includes:
- Daily intervention periods for targeted skill development
- Weekly art, music & physical education classes
- Monthly cross-curricular project-based learning units
- Quarterly STEM challenges aligned with grade-level standards
- Annual academic competitions in spelling, mathematics & science
Teaching Staff and Leadership
DeMotte Elementary employs 45 certified teachers with an average of 12 years of classroom experience. The instructional team includes:
- 32 classroom teachers (grades K-5)
- 4 special education specialists
- 3 reading interventionists
- 2 math coaches
- 1 gifted/talented coordinator
- 1 technology integration specialist
- 1 media specialist
- 1 school counselor
The leadership team features a principal, assistant principal & instructional coach who conduct 25 classroom observations per month. Teachers participate in 40 hours of professional development annually focusing on data-driven instruction & personalized learning strategies.
Student Life and Activities
DeMotte Elementary offers diverse extracurricular opportunities that complement academic learning. Students engage in activities designed to develop leadership skills social connections through structured programs.
After-School Programs
The STARS after-school program operates Monday through Thursday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, providing academic support homework assistance. Students participate in coding clubs robotics teams that meet twice weekly in the Innovation Lab. The school’s arts program includes choir practice on Tuesdays drama club on Thursdays. Athletic offerings feature intramural sports such as basketball volleyball running club. Additional enrichment activities include:
- Math Olympiad meetings every Monday
- Science Club experiments on Wednesdays
- Chess Club gatherings on Fridays
- Reading Buddies program twice weekly
- Garden Club during spring months
School Events and Traditions
DeMotte Elementary hosts annual events that strengthen community bonds celebrate student achievements. The Fall Festival in October features carnival games student performances outdoor activities. Students showcase their talents at the Spring Art Fair displaying creative works throughout the building. Notable annual traditions include:
- Grandparents Day celebrations in September
- Holiday Concert performances in December
- Science Fair exhibitions in March
- Field Day competitions in May
- Cultural Heritage Month festivities
- Book Fair weeks each semester
- Monthly Student Recognition assemblies
- Quarterly Family Fun Nights
The school maintains cultural celebrations incorporating local history community partnerships into these events. Each grade level presents one major production annually showcasing curriculum-based learning through performances.
Parent and Community Involvement
DeMotte Elementary School maintains strong partnerships with families and community members through active engagement programs. These connections create a supportive network that enhances student success and enriches the educational experience.
PTO Organization
The Parent Teacher Organization meets monthly in the school library to coordinate student-centered activities throughout the academic year. Parents contribute over 2,500 volunteer hours annually through PTO initiatives including the Fall Book Fair, Spring Carnival and Teacher Appreciation Week. The PTO raises $25,000 on average each year to fund classroom technology upgrades, playground equipment and educational field trips. Members organize grade-level room parents who assist teachers with special projects and classroom celebrations. The organization maintains transparent communication through a monthly newsletter, social media updates and an online volunteer signup portal.
Volunteer Opportunities
Family members participate in classroom activities as reading buddies, math tutors and art docents. The school’s Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) program brings fathers into classrooms for 150+ days each academic year. Community partners including local businesses, civic groups and senior centers provide career presentations, mentor students and assist with school beautification projects. The media center welcomes volunteers to shelve books, process new materials and help students locate resources. Parents support enrichment programs by coaching robotics teams, supervising clubs and chaperoning field trips.
School Facilities and Resources
DeMotte Elementary School’s modern campus features comprehensive facilities designed to enhance student learning experiences. The school’s infrastructure combines traditional classroom spaces with specialized learning environments that support diverse educational needs.
Technology Integration
DeMotte Elementary equips each classroom with interactive SMART boards connected to high-speed internet. Students access 120 Chromebooks through mobile carts plus 30 desktop computers in the dedicated computer lab. The Innovation Lab contains 3D printers four robotics stations makerspace tools for hands-on STEM projects. Teachers utilize Google Classroom digital portfolios interactive assessment tools to track student progress. The school’s fiber-optic network infrastructure supports simultaneous streaming video conferencing online research activities across multiple classrooms.
Library and Learning Spaces
The 2,500-square-foot media center houses 15,000 print books digital resources multimedia materials. Students engage with e-readers tablets at dedicated technology stations throughout the library space. The reading nook accommodates 30 students features flexible seating options bean bags reading pods small group areas. Adjacent maker spaces provide areas for collaborative projects independent study sessions creative activities. The library hosts weekly story times author visits book fairs maintains partnerships with the local public library system for expanded student access to educational materials.
Conclusion
DeMotte Elementary School stands as a beacon of educational excellence in Northwest Indiana. Its state-of-the-art facilities modern teaching methods and dedicated staff create an environment where students thrive academically and personally.
The school’s commitment to whole-child development paired with strong community partnerships and family engagement programs sets students up for lifelong success. From the Innovation Lab to the comprehensive media center DeMotte Elementary provides everything students need to excel in today’s rapidly evolving world.
Through its dynamic blend of traditional and innovative approaches DeMotte Elementary continues to shape tomorrow’s leaders while maintaining its position as a cornerstone of educational achievement in Jasper County.
