Parents at Farmwell Station get involved in their child’s education well before the school year begins.

The PTA purchases school supplies at a low cost, then allows parents to buy the supplies at costs that are cheaper than what’s available elsewhere. Principal Sherryl Loya said parents also volunteer at other times to help students at the school find success.

A combination of newsletters, e-mail and the Internet serves to help keep parents updated about school activities, she said.

“Technology is really important for us to keep parents informed,” she said.

Farmwell Station also tries to give students access to the technology at their fingertips. Two times a week, the library opens early and stays open late to let students use the Internet while school isn’t in session.

Students also have access to three computer labs in the school, and each classroom also has four computers for students.

Each November, the school celebrates its diversity with a full week of multicultural activities. The week ends with a talent show in which students display their heritage to other students and parents.

Farmwell Station hosts a fine arts night each springs so parents can see what students have learned in the classroom. Sixth-grade students are required to take a music class, while seventh- and eighth-graders can choose between art or music.

Students who haven’t mastered English can also find help. The school has two ESL teachers and a program to integrate immigrant students into the school culture. One school counselor is also dedicated solely to ESL students.

Farmwell Station also seeks to help immigrant parents with its “Padres Latinos” program.

According to the school’s improvement plan, of students with limited English proficiency in 2005-06, 51 percent passed the reading test and 11 percent passed the math test. Like other schools in Loudoun, Farmwell Station is hoping to increase those numbers, according to a district-wide set of goals.

About 79 percent of all students passed the reading and math SOL tests during the school year -- short of the district’s 90 percent goal, the improvement plan stated.

Loya said one of the largest challenges facing the school is meeting Adequate Yearly Progress goals set forth in the No Child Left Behind Act. She said the school, like many other schools, faces obstacles in getting immigrant children to meet the same standards as native-born children.

“It’s very difficult to meet almost impossible standards,” she said.

The school was recently recognized for its academic excellence and efforts contributing to the social development of students.

Students also can participate in a variety of school-sponsored clubs, such as the chess club, jazz band, advanced guitar classes, robotics, literary magazine and dance club.