Red Mill Elementary School is located in Etters on approximately 42 acres of ground on which sits the school, a playground, two multi-purpose athletic fields, and plenty of open area. The school is home to approximately 575 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Most Red Mill teachers possess or are working towards advance degrees in their field. Red Mill teachers annually participate in staff development academies, which provide opportunities for professional growth and training. Through their participation in these academies, the staff continually improves their skills, strategies, and techniques for enhancing teaching and learning thus creating an enhanced learning environment for all students.
Red Mill provides a strong foundation in the basic skills with an integrated language arts approach to reading, writing, spelling, listening, and speaking. In the primary grades, our Kid Writing and Writing Process approach enables students, kindergarten through second grade, to move through the stages of writing development, to increase their vocabulary, and to improve their writing ability more rapidly. Sequential development of number concepts and computation is strengthened with an emphasis on critical thinking skills, problem solving strategies, and hands-on learning in mathematics. The curriculum provides opportunities for incorporating both enrichment and accelerated activities to meet individual student needs. Academically, the children at Red Mill achieve at or above expected levels in every area on District-wide assessments and the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment.
Technology skills are taught through an integrated approach in the classroom. The classroom teachers plan and teach lessons which utilize technology in all grades. The library contains an up-to-date and extensive collection of children’s literature and reference materials, an automated card catalog system, inter-library loan capability, and each student receives weekly instruction in lifelong literacy skills.
Students at Red Mill have the opportunity to expand their talents and skills through specialized classes in art, music, library, and physical education. String and band instrument instruction begins in the fourth grade. All students at Red Mill are able to participate in a variety of activities, including instrumental and choral performances, school spirit days, community service projects, TEAM, various clubs and extra-curricular groups and Junior Achievement lessons.
Parent participation is encouraged and welcomed at Red Mill. In fact, many parents and grandparents volunteer in a variety of ways every day. The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) provides resources for field trips, assemblies, after-school programs, and daily planners for every student. A group of dedicated and energetic volunteers form the PTO, making a significant contribution to the total school experience for Red Mill’s children.