Duveneck Elementary School

705 Alester Ave.

Palo Alto, CA 94303

    Duveneck, one of eleven elementary schools in Palo Alto, is a strongly supported neighborhood school serving families who value education. The school enrollment of around 400 is about 22% minority (Asian, African-American, Hispanic, and Vietnamese) and 78% Caucasian.

    Duveneck School benefits from substantial participation by the parents and community. The Duveneck PTA  is a group of parents and school staff members who work together to support and enrich the school life of the students. It functions as a liaison between the staff and the school community to ensure open communication and understanding of the school program.

    Through an annual giving drive and special events, the PTA raises funds to improve educational programs, to enhance the school's physical facilities and equipment, and to provide extension and enrichment activities. Every year the PTA provides seed money for new programs generated by parents and children. Officers of the PTA meet monthly to deal with local and district issues, as well as matters at the state level. The general membership of the PTA has monthly meetings, providing parents with educational programs and contact with neighboring schools. Thousands of parent volunteer hours are spent in classrooms, on the playground, and for special events.

    Duveneck's climate is one of openness and inclusion. It is an inviting place to be and an inspiring place to learn.

Students' Needs:

    As changes are happening in society, children's needs also change; some are academic, some are emotional, and some may be social. The Duveneck staff is dedicated to attempting to meet these student needs. Additional monies have been devoted to having the services of a special reading teacher on a part time basis, a support teacher for grades 3 and 4, the services of a teacher on early retirement for grades 3 to 5, and to provide social skill building sessions for small groups of students.    

    As a function of regular education, the Student Study Team is the beginning place for either teacher or parent (or often both) to identify the specific individual student need. Duveneck has the services of a School Psychologist for one and a half days per week, a Resources Specialist for 50% time and a Language/Speech specialist for 40% of the time. Duveneck also uses the services of the district's GATE coordinator and the ELD staff when needed.

    All of these additional resources that Duveneck utilizes show up in high scores on standardized tests.

Duveneck's Scores on California Standardized Tests

Scores range from 1-99. A score of 99 indicates that the school scored higher than 99 percent of the other public schools in California. All scores are from "McCormack's Guides '99."

School Safety:

    Duveneck School rules are based on respect for ourselves and others, personal safety, and respnsible behavior. Specific guidelines are provided to students and their parents during the first week of school. The playground is supervised by teachers at recess, and five noon supervisors at lunch. 

    Students contribute to the safe school through three programs. The fourth graders who are specially trained to solve playground conflicts, help students "talk it out" as needed during recess and lunch times. Fifth graders serve on the Duveneck Safety Patrol. They help younger children cross nearby streets safely while learning responsibility. Third-grade children also participate in a bicycle safety program presented by the Palo Alto Fire Department.

    Earthquake preparedness is a priority at Duveneck School. There is a disaster plan and they store emergency equipment and supplies, hold regular earthquake and fire drills, and discuss with students what they should do. The school updates selected staff members with First Aid and CPR training.

Duveneck Elementary School Values:

"We the students, parents, teachers, and staff of Duveneck School

embrace the following core values. These values guide the actions

of our working and learning community."

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