Forest Grove Elementary principal Nancy Torregrossa has nothing but pride for her students and staff.

“Everybody who comes to visit, they just love it here – parents, substitute teachers, visitors,” she said. “They are always commenting on what a loving place this is and how students are so respectful of each other and want to learn.”

Teachers at Forest Grove try to make the classroom an exciting place to be by making lessons relevant to everyday life, Torregrossa said. Torregrossa credits a talented and involved teaching staff with the school’s continued success.

Teachers regularly attend workshops to hone their skills and learn new ones. Students frequently take field trips or listen to outside speakers who have been invited to help with a lesson, she said.

From day one, students begin to learn the importance of computer and technology skills. “Technology is woven into every aspect of the school day,” Torregrossa said.

Computers are used in the regular classrooms, as well as in classes like art and even physical education. At least once during the week, they spend dedicated time in the computer lab. In addition, the school has purchased several Smart Boards, or interactive media projectors, to complement learning. Torregrossa said they are helpful with math and geography lessons, among other subjects.

The school uses a team teaching approach, so oftentimes more than one teacher will be in a student’s classroom. Talented and gifted, Spanish-language, ESL, special education and reading teachers make regular appearances throughout the week.

The Virginia State Report Card for Forest Grove indicates 83 percent of all students passed the English portion of the Virginia Standards of Learning exams during the 2005-2006 school year, compared with 77 percent and 76 percent passing the previous two years, respectively. The school has made Adequate Yearly Progress for the past three years. Test scores and other relevant data from the Virginia Department of Education are available here.

Outside the classroom, students can participate in intramural sports, like basketball or field hockey, at different times during the year. There are also after-school art classes in which students can spend extra time at the pottery wheel, or hands-on science activities in which students learn scientific concepts. All students participate in “The World’s Largest Concert,” which is an annual music production. There is also a fifth-grade chorus that performs throughout the year, as well as twice-yearly productions of musicals.

Although the school opened its doors in 2002, the most exciting renovation is that of the playground, Torregrossa said. Students, parents and staff worked to collect money for new playground equipment. December 2006 was the groundbreaking, and it opened to students in 2007.

Parent involvement is encouraged not only through the PTA, but also by regular events like “Donuts with Dad” or “Muffins with Mom” that bring parents into the school. The school hosts regular Bingo and movie nights that help create a sense of community.

When she thinks to the future, Torregrossa said she focuses on the positive energy in her school.

“Our plans are to continue to provide our children with a lot of hands on experiences, to continue to have them be passionate about learning, and to continue to build our partnership with not only the families, but the community,” she said.