There are 21 schools in the district and Gale ranks in the lower third in socio-economic status for the district. There is no college nearby. Almost all the Hispanic families speak no English and require interpreters when they need to interact with the school. The district tests students in the benchmark grades of 3rd and 5th grade. Last year math scores increased slightly, but reading scores are still in the lowest third for the district.
Writing scores are among the lowest.
And, more 3rd graders overall met benchmarks than did 5th graders. The school s new principal, Anne T. Emme, received a whirlwind tour of Gale when she arrived from Kansas a year ago. The staff has experienced nearly a complete turnover in the last 5 years. Although Gale does not have a bilingual program, Spanish is taught to Spanish speakers until they achieve third-grade literacy, then they transition into regular English instruction. The last three years the school focused on math and reading, but this year the focus is on writing, which will continue next year.