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Homeland Park Elementary School
Mike Ruthsatz
Principal
.
Betty Bagley
Superintendent
Anderson, South Carolina
Homeland Park Elementary is a single track school, modified calendar, Title 1 School located in the southern boundaries of Anderson, SC. The school is celebrating its 50th birthday this year and has been on a modified calendar since the 1998-99 school year.

It has a K-5 student population of 348, with 76% of those qualifying for free-lunch status. The school has an 80% poverty rate.

The mission of Homeland Park is to be a learning center for all seasons and a safe, caring learning environment incorporating family, school and community resources.

In 2003 Homeland Park met 100% of its objectives under the Adequate Yearly Progress category for No Child Left Behind. Homeland Park is the only school in Anderson School District 5 to meet the AYP requirements this year and one of only 193 of the 617 schools in South Carolina.

PACT test scores have risen steadily since 2000. In 2003, 48 (or 80%) of Homeland Park's third grade students received bicycles due to passing scores on the reading portion of the PACT test. The bicycles were made possible through a district-wide program called Reading to Ride.

The school improved from an Average rating in 2001 to a rating of Good in 2002. Student attendance last year was at 96%. Three of its students were recognized as Regional Science Fair winners.

Homeland Park uses "Enrichment Weeks" as a central component of its modified calendar. The program takes place during Intersessions - three times a year. It enhances their instructional program by allowing the opportunity to re-teach standards of the previous nine weeks grading period. Enrichment Week places a strong emphasis on Reading and Math in an interactive hands-on instructional format.