Banta Elementary School District

Banta Elementary School District is comprised of one school site with a student population of approximately 300 students. It is a K-8 school with students graduating and going on to Tracy High School. There are 13 classroom teachers and 1 Resource Specialist. There is class size reduction in grades K-3. The location of Banta School allows for a country setting and atmosphere and its size affords special attention for all students. There is an abundance of community support and Banta’s test scores are consistently at the top of the list. Though it is classified as a rural school, technology and classroom learning are evident throughout the site and the school receives direct services from the San Joaquin County Office of Education to keep it abreast with the latest curriculum developments.

There will be tremendous growth IN THE DISTRICT in the COMING YEARS. A MASTER planned development will bring at least 11,000 homes to the school district. This will generate at least 6,000 additional K-8 students. Banta is PRESENTLY CONTINUING to maintain a 21st century education for its existing site while CONSTANTLY PREPARING for the future.

At present, the District will be submitting plans to DSA (Department of State Architect) for the approval of constructing two schools (K-5 and 6-8) on a 30+ acre site. Construction of the schools should begin sometime in the summer of ’08. During the interim, the present site will house approximately 300 students before opening the new campuses which should occur in the ’09-’10 school year.

The school district and present site have been initiating infra-structure to support the additional students. At this time, Banta has modernized the entire present CAMPUS over the past 4 years with the culmination of a completely renovated kitchen this past summer. Additional work is set to take place in the summer of ’08 to enhance the playground facilities.

Test scores continue to rise as this year’s (’06-‘07) API was 751. THE SCHOOLS API SCORES HAVE RISEN over 80 points in the last FOUR years. Banta has met its AYP (Federal standards) in each of the last three years.

Banta is continuing to strive to maintain the rural school atmosphere for class sizes and individual caring for each student yet to be a leader in the curricular and educational needs to prepare students to be successful as well as morally and ethically responsible as they approach their adult years.

Sincerely,
William Draa
Superintendent