Eminence Independent Schools

Schools That Work

Eminence Independent Schools

Public, Rural

Grades K–12

Eminence, KY

The Eminence Independent Schools district was failing less than a decade ago. Enrollment was declining, and test scores and morale were plummeting in the small, rural, Title 1 district in Eminence, Kentucky. To save the district and the town, Buddy Berry, the superintendent, initiated sweeping changes that were identified by the students themselves.

With community buy-in, the district built a 30,000-square-foot technology-focused building with eight makerspaces to foster personalized learning, made time for students to design and solve real-world problems, and developed an early college program to prepare students for college. The district also adopted a “surprise and delight” culture—focusing on ways to boost student and staff morale. The district’s efforts paid off: Graduation rates and college persistence rates have increased, and enrollment has doubled.

Achieved 100% College and/or Career Readiness by Kentucky state standards for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.
99.5% of early college program participants are either on track to earn a college degree or have already done so.
Selected to attend the 2014 ConnectED to the Future Convening at the White House.

Buddy Berry looks at a computer with students.

Administration & Leadership

A Small Town School Embraces a Big Vision

A determined superintendent looks to transform student lives in his rural Kentucky hometown.

Suzie Boss

Technology Integration
Fostering Self-Directed Learning in Makerspaces
When students have the freedom to tinker and explore, their curiosity leads to perseverance—and the mastery of technical tools and skills.
Collaborative Learning
60-Second Strategy: Pass the Marker
Getting students up on their feet and solving problems together helps build engagement—and stronger math thinkers.
School Culture
Sustaining a Schoolwide Culture of Playful Learning
Educators in this small town prioritized innovation, creativity, and wonder in every aspect of their school, and the message to students was clear—dream big, because anything is possible.
Communication Skills
60-Second Strategy: The Hot Seat
Providing the active listeners in the outer ring of a Socratic circle a way to jump in with their burning questions and comments keeps all students engaged.
Interest-Based Learning
Exploring Writing, Social Studies, and Math in a Map Challenge
Encouraging students to bring their creativity and imagination to challenging content makes it more accessible—and helps them learn it more deeply.
Social & Emotional Learning (SEL)
Deepening Academic Understanding With Tangible Experiences
By providing middle school students a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes, teachers can help them develop empathy—and a stronger connection to content.
Learning Environments
Building a 21st-Century Learning Space
A community raised $6 million to construct an innovative 30,000-square-foot facility complete with makerspaces and learning labs.
Service Learning
Building Empathy Through Community Projects
Twice a year, students and teachers in Eminence, Kentucky, collaborate for three days on meaningful projects that serve their community.
College Readiness
Setting Students Up for College Success
Get a look at a dual-enrollment program that prepares high school students to overcome the obstacles on the path to finishing college.
Student Engagement
Cranking Teaching Strategies Up to Awesome
“Surprise and delight” is a core student engagement strategy at this school—built into both the instruction and the building’s design.

Schools That Work

Eminence Independent Schools

.css-1sk4066:hover{background:#d1ecfa;}Fostering Self-Directed Learning in Makerspaces

Fostering Self-Directed Learning in Makerspaces