McAuliffe Elementary School
13540 Princedale Drive
Woodbridge, VA. 22193
McAuliffe Elementary School Web Site
Phone: 703.680.7270
Principal: Cynthia West
Assistant Principal: Nathaniel Provencio
Date Opened: 1989
Number of Students: 622
Number of teachers: 40
School Colors: Blue, Gray, White
School Mascot: Space Shuttle
Watch and hear the School Song
in Windows Media Player:
Sharon Christa McAuliffe Elementary School was named after a woman from New Hampshire who competed with over 1000 other candidates to be the first teacher to go with the astronauts on the Space Shuttle. The Challenger was destroyed in an accident shortly after take off in 1986.
McAuliffe Elementary School serves the communities of Woodbridge and Dale City.
Odyssey of the Mind gives students the opportunity to participate in activities designed to develop creative problem solving skills. By working in teams, participants learn teamwork, self-respect, the appreciation and understanding of others, and that a group is a more powerful thinking force than an individual.
McAuliffe serves an increasingly diverse multi-cultural population and has an ESOL Program (English for Speakers of Other Languages). The students participate in 5th Grade Chorus and the Science Fair.
Math and Social Studies SOL Days (Standards of Learning) involve some 24 parent volunteers, staff, and students for a full day of round robin activities in the gym where students rotate periodically to play games, test their knowledge, or participate in fun learning activities.
The McAuliffe Character Counts Respect Plan provides for each student and staff member to be a team member of one of the Six Pillars of Character. The students earn points or super stars for their team and work together cooperatively to gain the most points. This encourages team building and promotes positive behavior by working together and helps children learn more about each of the six character pillars which are: Citizenship (purple), Trustworthiness (blue), Respect (yellow), Fairness (orange), Responsibility (green), and Caring (red).
Students are trained and participate in Peer Mediation, help govern the school through the SCA (Student Council Association), cooperatively learn with Reading Buddies, read to adult volunteers for BEAR (Be Enthusiastic About Reading), and have adult mentors through the PIE Program (Partner in Education).
One highlight of McAuliffe students is the Third Grade Campout at the end of the school year. Students, staff, and parents stay overnight at Prince William County Forest Park and spend two days learning through hands on experiments, projects, and interactive activities that correlate with the SOL’s (Standards of Learning). Students spend a day in the spring testing their physical strength and cooperation at Field Day which is filled with exciting outdoor sports activities.
PTA, MAC (McAuliffe Advisory Council), BEAR Reading (listening to students read), “Strong Families, Competent Kids”, and volunteering at the school.
Sharon Christa McAuliffe Elementary School is an exciting group of diverse students who share their culture and strengths to achieve a greater understanding of the world. Parents and teachers are active partners in education and dedicated to helping each student to reach his/her potential. The learning environment is vibrant, rigorous, warm, and caring.
Posted: 7/18/07
Copyright © 2007, Prince William County Schools. All rights reserved.
