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STEPPING STONE PRESCHOOL, ELEMENTARY AND C. BROWN
MIDDLE SCHOOL-PROVIDING STEPPING STONES FOR THE FUTURE
In 1968, Camille Brown, owner and Executive Director of Stepping Stone Preschool, Elementary and C. Brown Middle School, ventured out on her own with 18 students and another teacher to open a preschool. Within two years, the school had out-grown its leased facility. Property was purchased and a new building was constructed. In 1976 Mrs. Brown bought out her partner. The school continued to operate as a half-day preschool program for three through five-year olds until 1990. In seven years this program grew to 160 students and employed 20 teachers and support staff. In early 1990, Camille embarked on an expansion program that would fulfill the need for a quality all day preschool/childcare with extended hours for working parents, which she identified as lacking in the Tyler service area. As an advocate for children, "Miss Camille," as she is called by her students, desired to give area children every advantage to succeed in a quality, secure environment so their parents could go into the workplace, not worry, and know that their children were receiving an excellent child-centered education. In pursuing that goal which the Tyler native views as a calling she was led to fulfill, Mrs. Brown began the first school expansion. The expansion of the preschool program consisted of purchasing the adjacent property and building and constructing 4,200 square feet to the existing facility. This gave the school a total of 15 classrooms for 3 years through kindergarten. Rapid growth in student enrollment and parent requests prompted her to expand the corporate mission to include elementary students:
Stepping Stone is designed to meet the working parent’s needs by providing their children with high quality all day care that cultivates confident, eager learners that exhibit superior skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Really, it's a two-edged sword. Providing a quality pre-school/child care and learning environment for the business leaders of the future while allowing their parents to be an active part in the present business community.
In 1994, a construction program phased over three years was initiated. In 1994, an 8,000 square foot gymnasium was completed. In 1995, a 20,000 square foot elementary building containing 14 classrooms, an office, library, music, science, Spanish, technology, and art room were added in addition to a cafeteria. An Olympic heated pool was constructed as well as an additional elementary playground and soccer/baseball field. A 2,600 square foot wing to the gymnasium was added to house the growing pre- kindergarten enrollment and the after school age care extended clubs (SAC) and (PEC).
Currently, Stepping Stone occupies 40,000 square feet. The school provides an outstanding education to Tyler and East Texas area students in a year round program.
Some of the students attend Stepping Stone as the result of scholarships. Scholarship aid is available based on standardized test scores, past school records, writing samples, and personal interview. Financial aid is available based on income and need plus standardized test scores, past academic records, writing samples, and personal interviews.
The accelerated learning program at Stepping Stone thoroughly prepares the students for future studies. Stepping Stone School introduced the Davis Learning Strategies at the beginning of the school year 2003-2004 after two teachers attended training over the summer. The school opted to utilize Davis Learning Strategies (DLS) to enhance their already successful Shared and Guided Reading Program. At mid-year the students are already experiencing greater success and achievement than anticipated.
Through the use of Davis Learning Strategies, mid-year reading inventories completed in January demonstrate an average gain of two grade levels. High achieving readers have reached greater heights than anticipated. Average readers are soaring beyond expectations. And readers at the frustrational level have made gains unimagined prior to DLS. Teachers and families are looking forward to seeing results of these same inventories in May! The teachers trained in DLS are better equipped to respond to the needs of each student and his/her distinctive learning styles. Students utilize DLS to focus and to release stress throughout the day and in test taking situations. Additional strategies control energy levels while Davis Reading Exercises and Symbol Mastery provide students with skills to master words and meanings rather than memorizing. Even more beneficial is the increase in self-esteem and confidence in all students for all topics. As a preventative program, DLS is helpful for students with dyslexic or ADHD tendencies. Research has proven that schools incorporating DLS have fewer students with learning challenges and more students qualifying as gifted and talented. Stepping Stone is also happy to share that Ms. Paula Roberts, certified and licensed Davis Correction Program Facilitator, has her office at the school. As a Davis Facilitator, Paula utilizes her elementary certification, 15 years of teaching experience, and training through the International Davis Program to assist students one on one who have not responded to conventional reading programs and need more than DLS provides.
Stepping Stone is also a Brain Gym® campus. This is made up of simple, enjoyable, easy to use movements and activities that are used daily with all students from infant through middle school. These activities make all types of learning easier but are especially effective with academic skills. Brain Gym® consists of 26 movements to use in the classrooms scattered throughout every day as needed. Not all movements are completed daily. However, each student will definitely begin his or her day doing Pace, which is four activities. Students are invited and encouraged to work within their own limitations to do any of the other 26 activities as needed. The students seem to love Brain Gym, request it, teach it to their friends and integrate it into their lives without any coaching or supervision. Applied brain research indicates that movement is the doorway to learning. So, as we exercise and have fun doing exercises, we empower ourselves for life. Camille Brown is a licensed Brain Gym® instructor/consultant.
The Challenge Program for Gifted Learners develops and directs the use of higher level, more complex cognitive skills, through inquiry based approach and vertical programming. Inquiry techniques, problem solving techniques, concept analysis, and a variety of research methods are taught. The Challenge Program also broadens the student's general fund of knowledge and encourages the habit of independent inquiry in grades three through middle school. Curricular materials include Saxon Math (54 through Algebra II) and Language Arts Units from the Center for Gifted Education, The College of William and Mary.
The success of the program can be seen by the student's gains.
*By the end of the 2nd grade, most students have surpassed 2nd grade reading levels and are reading and comprehending in the 4th - 6th grade range.
*By the end of the 5th grade, most students have surpassed 5th grade reading levels and are reading at the middle school level and above.
*Group composites on the Stanford testing average in the top 20% nationwide.
The schools list of awards is quite lengthy.
PSIA District. 1st place in "A" Division overall academic competition.
PSIA State Academic Competition, awarded 5th place in "A" Division out of 80 private schools competing across Texas.
Selected by BSCENE Magazine audience, for the fourth straight year, Best Child Care in East Texas
And a finalist for a Better Business Bureau National Award
The school has been active in a variety of service projects within the community. Among the projects students and faculty have been involved with:
*Students earned money to support the Meals on Wheels Program
*Cystic Fibrosis Mini March
*Collected can good for PATH and collected coats for PATH's Coats for Kids Program
*Collected Bears for the Tyler Police Department's Bears on Patrol Program
*Collected Books for Bonner Elementary and the Literacy Council
*Collected Christmas toys for the Salvation Army and the Tyler Firefighters
*And Stepping Stone has formed a partnership with Prestige Estates Assisted Living Community for the "Generation Connection." The newly formed organization unites the students (Grandchildren) with the residents (Grandfriends) of Prestige Estates.
Among the former Stepping Stone Students working in the community today: Dr. Cory Stephens; Attorneys Chad and Todd Parker; firefighter Terry Hawkins; and the list goes on.
When someone considers moving into a new town, the educational climate is very important. Over the years Tyler's Stepping Stone has been just that, a stepping stone for students to reach their potential and prepare them for the world that lies ahead. It is that standard that has helped Tyler with an exceptional quality of life that potential residents appreciate and other cities envy.
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