In the Covina-Valley Unified School District in Los Angeles County, Manzanita Elementary serves students from transitional kindergarten through grade five. Most Manzanita students come from families that are Latino and meet low-income criteria; however, at every grade level, the percentage of Manzanita students who meet state standards in English, mathematics, and science exceed the percentages for all California students. Student success has been meticulously planned to ensure that all students (including students with disabilities and students who speak Spanish at home) learn rigorous state standards.

Planning starts with the development of shared understandings of what students need to learn and understand at each grade level. Those shared understandings are reinforced through the development, use, and analysis of common formative assessments and trimester assessments. Teachers meet regularly in professional learning communities to share best practices and plan lesson strategies to maximize the likelihood that students master important concepts and skills. As well, teachers benefit from the opportunity to visit each other’s classrooms and see how their colleagues help students learn difficult concepts.