POINTS of PRIDE: Clarke Community Schools

Clarke Community Schools - "A whole child, a whole school, and a whole lot of imagination." (Covey)

Clarke Community Schools and the local community of Osceola carry the brand: "Proud of our history; ready for our future!"  Clarke is a  Leader in Me district where all strive to empower leaders.  According to Steven Covey, "Leadership is communicating people's worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves."  Inspiring leadership is a huge undertaking at Clarke Elementary which houses 800 students grades K-6.  They are the second largest elementary in the state of Iowa.  At Clarke Middle School grades 7-8, there is emphasis on a two-fold message:  "Be the change you wish to see in the world; be the leader you wish to see in yourself."  At Clarke High school, "an idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs it in." (Bernbach)  It is always special when a person can visit a Leader in Me school.  You know you will leave being inspired.


District Demographics:
Enrollment 1450
Free & Reduced Lunch 60%
There is a lot of industry in this community so a partnership with Southwest Community College provides concurrent enrollment courses especially in the area of building trades. 
Hormel is a big business in the area, bringing many Hispanic families to the district. The Clarke Development Corp assists with securing grants for the district and the local casino is also generous in supporting the classrooms in the area. 

Initiatives in the district focus on technology and professional learning communities.  Project Lead the Way is a course at the middle school with a focus on robotics. Technology is growing in the district with a 1-to-1 iPad initiative in grades 4-12. Iowa Core implementation is a focus with the PLC framework providing teamwork and collaboration for successful implementation. 

"We are not placed on this Earth to see through each other but to see each other through."  Through the Leader in Me program, students and staff see each other through as they move towards preparing for the 21st Century.

LEADER IN ME QUOTES: 

• "Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right thing." (Drucker)
• "Leadership is communicating people's worth and potential so clearly they are inspired to see it in themselves." (Covey)
•  "A leader takes people where they want to go.  A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be." (Carter)
• "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." (Keller)