Running head: COMPARISON AND CONTRAST OF TWO LOCAL SCHOOLS 1

Comparison and Contrast of Two Local Schools

Jennifer Horne
Ivy Tech Community College

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 2
Standard #3: Learning Environments

A teacher works with others to create environments that
support individual and collaborative learning, and that
encourage positive social interaction, active engagement
in learning, and self-motivation.

Name of Artifact: School Comparison and Contrast Essay

Date: March, 2012

Course: EDUC 101: Introduction to Education

Brief Description:
I researched and compiled information about two different schools. I
created a Types of Schools chart, a school comparison chart, and a Venn diagram
to analyze school environments. Then I wrote a reflective essay showing my
understanding of the differences and similarities between two of the schools I
researched.

Rationale:
To document my understanding of Learning Environments, I have selected
to include my Comparison and Contrast Essay, charts and diagram, because it
shows I took an opportunity to analyze school climates and cultures, and
philosophies. This helped me to understand the dynamics of various learning
environments and how they are created. Understanding diverse school
environments will assist me in creating a safe learning environment for my future
students.






COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 3
Comparison and Contrast of Two Local Schools
I already knew no two schools are exactly alike. Schools are made up of unique students,
teachers, and administration. Not only do unique individuals play a part in the schools climate,
but so do the schools own history, its demographics, and its community. I have chosen to
analyze the Joyce Kilmer School, IPS 69. The second school I chose to compare and contrast is
Sheridan Christian Academy. When I began my research I wondered if I would find any
similarities at all, because on the surface, no two schools have ever been this different!
Joyce Kilmer School, School 69, is located on N. Keystone Avenue in Indianapolis. It is
a public school which has struggled to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act
and its AYP. According to the DOE (2011), School 69 has been one of the districts five lowest
scoring schools. Upon arriving at the school, the first thing I noticed was a nice playground built
by the Indianapolis Colts when the school reopened in 2008 (after being closed for two years).
Its bright, shiny, new colors made the neighboring houses look even more run down and
neglected. 90 percent of the students who attend this school are living in poverty. School 69,
built as the traditional brick rectangle, two stories and a basement, represents stability to its
students; of which 93 percent are African American. Its central hallways are lined with art,
created by the students, and various posters and bulletins encouraging high achievement. The
building practically hums with the load of 410 students and 27 teachers. All of this is a stark
contrast to Sheridan Christian Academy.
Sheridan Christian Academy (SCA) is located on 9 acres of property purchased by the
Bible Church in 1980. It is situated on what literally was a corn field. As much as School 69 is
urban, SCA is suburban and country. The small town of Sheridan does not even have a traffic
signal! Its citizens are mostly middle class and are predominately white. In fact, SCAs 11
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 4
students and 5 staff are all Caucasians. The building is a beautiful church with a large
auditorium, offices, and Sunday school classrooms. The newest addition to the church building is
a large sunny classroom referred to as the Learning Center. There you will find students ranging
from grades 1 through 12 (all in the same classroom). Three sides of the room are lined with
individual desks; the fourth wall houses a computer lab. The Learning Center is typically very
quiet; the only noise coming from a teacher (supervisor) as she assists students as needed. She
may help a student with pronunciation and then guide another student to find the right answer to
a Geometry question. Students often receive one-on-one assistance. On the walls, among such
items as an 8 Parts of speech Poster or, the Period Table of the Elements, you will find
encouraging scriptures and positive motivational bulletin boards. Another glaring difference
from School 69 is the curriculum itself. The curriculum is Bible-based. For instance, you may be
labeling sentences in your English assignment but the sentence is usually about a scripture or
possibly a missionary. The curriculum is also self-paced and mastery-based. Private religious
schools are not allowed to take the ISTEP, but SCA does utilize diagnostics and assessments.
SCA is consistently recognized by Accelerated Christian Education International as a Quality
Status School. With so many huge differences, I had to search for similarities.
The first and most obvious similarity is both schools require a uniform. In fact, the dress
codes are exactly alike. Another similarity is the schools emphasis on community involvement.
School 69 has partnerships with Edna Martin Christian Center and the United Way, and SCA is
in partnership with the Sheridan Bible Church. Both schools recognize that to make a difference
in the life of a child a strong presence in the community is important. If a students basic
physical and emotional needs are not being met it is difficult to educate them. They have
teachers and administrators that also assist in recognizing and meeting these needs. In each
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 5
school the average teacher is white and female; their average age is 47. A love and respect for
the United States of America is also present in both School 69 and SCA. This is evident when
students rise respectfully and pledge to the American flag each morning. School 69 also displays
a picture of President Obama.
In conclusion, on School 69 and SCAs web sites there are vision and mission statements.
Although they are obviously worded differently, their meanings are the same. Yes, Joyce Kilmer
IPS School 69 and Sheridan Christian Academy seem to be worlds apart. They have extreme
differences; they have their own unique climate and culture. Yet, when their doors open and the
bell rings I believe both of these schools have the same goal. They have a mission to offer
quality education, and they recognize a quality education is more than just passing assessment
tests. It is more than memorizing facts and statistics. A quality education encompasses all aspects
of life because true education goes beyond the classroom and changes the very life of a child.
Differences of buildings, class size, locations, ethnicities, curriculum, assessments, and state
restrictions fade away when one focuses on this one similarity. Every individual deserves a
quality education, and both Joyce Kilmer School 69 and Sheridan Christian Academy are
striving to deliver this to their communities.







COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 6
References
IDOE: Compass (2011). Joyce Kilmer school 69 (5569). Retrieved March 14, 2012, from
http://compass.doe.in.gov./dashboard.overview.aspx
Joyce Kilmer-IPS: 69 (n.d.) Retrieved March 14, 2012, from
http://www.69ips.k12.in.us/index.php?id7842
The Bible Church: Sheridan Christian Academy (2007). Retrieved March 14, 2012, from
http://.the-bible-church.org/SCA.aspx













Types of Schools
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 7

1. Academy


Private An institution of higher learning.
2. Adult Education


Public Education opportunities for adults.
3. Charter


Public A public school independent of a local school board. It often has
Curriculum and Educational philosophies different from other
schools.
4. Community


Public A public school that acts as the hub of a community. They often
Serve as a community center providing resources to the community.
5. Home School


Private A school located typically in ones own home with parents serving as
facilitators.

6. Center for
Inquiry

Public A school that uses inquiry based approaches. This education focuses
on the student.
7. Magnet


Public A public school offering specialized curriculum.
8. Montessori


Public/Private A school which follows the teaching of Maria Montessori. This
method of education stresses development of a childs own abilities.
9. Religious


Private A private religious school is run by a religious body, such as a church.
They are separate from state run schools do not have many restrict-
Ions.
10. Special Needs


Public/Private The education of students with special needs. It addresses the
students individual needs whether they are physical, emotional,
or developmental.
11. Vocational


Public A school, usually secondary, which offers instruction in skilled trades.
12. Urban

Public/Private Schools that are in large metropolitan areas.
13. Suburban Public/Private Schools outside bigger cities. Usually largely residential communities.
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 8
Comparison Chart of Joyce Kilmer and Sheridan Christian Academy

School contact
Information name,
address, phone, website
Joyce Kilmer Elementary School-69
3421 N. Keystone Ave
www.69.ips.k12.in.us/
Indpls, In 46218 (317)226-4269
Sheridan Christian Academy
1478 W ST Rd 38
Sheridan, In 46069
(317)987-2664
History of School year
built/started, traditions
Reopened in 2008 after being closed for
2 yrs. 90% poverty rate. Received Title1
grant this year to make significant
improvements.
Was started in 1980. New facilities
were finished in 1984. Ministry of
Sheridan Bible church established in the
1950s.
Mission and Vision To provide a positive learning
environment where students can be
challenged academically and socially.
To provide a Bible based, quality edu-
cation where instruction is mastery-
based and self-paced.
Grades taught and
Special Programs
K-6 *media center
Speech/Occupational & Physical
Therapy/SpEd/ Band/Art/Music/PE
At this time grades levels are 1-12.
Preschool and Kindergarten offered
as needed.
Extra Curricula Activities IUPUI Adult Learning Center
Parent Center (partnership with Edna
Martin Christian Center and the United
Way) *Liaison Joyce Burns
Electric Youth Ministries.
Volunteer opportunities such as
International Youth Corp

Awards/Special
Recognitions (within last
5 years)
Quality Status
(recognized as a quality school by
Accelerated Christian Education)
Faculty total teachers
gender, race, age
27 total
Most White
Average age 47 (DOE)
3 female
Caucasian
40s
Administration/Support
Staff total number,
gender, race, age
5 Total
All Female (per website)
1 male/1 female
Caucasian
60s
Students total students,
gender, race, age

410
93% African American/2% White/1.5%
Hispanic
11
5 female/6 male
Caucasian ages 11-17
Students SES, Language,
grade level

Community Partnerships Edna Martin Christian Center and the
United Way
The Sheridan Bible Church
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 9
Meet Adequate Yearly
Progress (AYP)
No. Became a Title 1 school Aug , 2011
*Has been one of the districts 5 lowest
scoring schools.
They do not take ISTEP. They are not
accredited through the state but their
credits are recognized by local schools/
colleges.

















VENN DIAGRAM


COMPARISON AND CONTRAST 10
*overlapping relationships

JOYCE KILMER SCHOOL 69

urban
public
predominately African American
90% poverty
community important
*mostly white female teachers
*vision to provide quality
education
SHERIDAN CHRISTIAN
ACADEMY
suburban
private
All caucasian students
middle class
*vision to provide quality
education
*mostly white female teachers