The Emery County School District provides various educational resources and support services for the community of Castle Dale. According to the district's own website, the Title I program focuses on working toward improving academic achievement for students who qualify. This program provides alternative learning methods for students achieving below set Utah State core standards to help them achieve a higher-quality educational experience. The goal of Title I is to provide extra instructional services and activities for students identified as failing or most at risk of failing the state's performance standards in mathematics, reading, and writing. According to the district's website, these services can take the form of inclusion within the classroom, pull-out sessions, or small group settings.
To identify students for Title I services, the district utilizes a combination of three assessment forms, which may include Dibels, SAGE, summative and/or formative assessments, and classroom observation of student performance skills and work. The district's website notes that a parent cannot make a Title I referral and that students do not have to be low income to receive these services. The program may offer smaller classes, additional paraprofessionals, extra teaching time, and a variety of supplementary teaching methods.
For students attending Emery High School, the counseling office operates under the motto, "Decisions Determine Destiny." According to the high school's counseling page, school counselors assist students in developing the academic and social skills needed to succeed in school and later in life. Beyond supporting social and emotional needs, counselors help pupils explore interests and potential career options. The counseling office includes Lance Whitesel, who was listed as a counselor, and Felicia Jeffs, who was also listed as a counselor. Corben Healy was listed as a registrar. Counselors are scheduled to hold annual College and Career Readiness (CCR) meetings for grades 9 through 12 to supply information specific to a student's current grade level.
The district also provides resources for college and career readiness. According to the high school's website, a student is considered college ready if they graduate high school with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to succeed in postsecondary opportunities without the need for remediation. This includes receiving at least an 18 on the ACT or a passing score on an AP course, or a "C" or higher in a CE course. Career readiness is defined by meeting specific criteria, such as becoming a Career Pathway Completer or a Career Pathway Concentrator.
Regarding educator licensing at Castle Dale Elementary, the district's records list 11 educators with a Professional Educator License Level. According to the district's undated documentation, there were no educators listed with an Associate Educator License Level or an LEA-specific Educator License Level.
Registration resources for the district include information on food service, health, and school safety. According to the district's website, the food service section provides information on meal pricing, account charge policies, and the student wellness policy. Health information provided by the district includes details on the Utah's Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and school entry immunization requirements. Safety resources include emergency management procedures and information regarding firearm training opt-out forms.
What this means for Castle Dale
For Castle Dale residents, the Emery County School District provides a variety of academic supports, including Title I programs for at-risk students and counseling services at Emery High School. These resources, including specialized educator licensing and college readiness information, are designed to assist students in achieving academic success and preparing for postsecondary opportunities.
