Multi-Tiered Student System of Support
At Homer Community Schools, our goal is simple — every student, every day, growing toward their full potential.
To make that happen, we’ve built a districtwide system called the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that ensures every child gets exactly what they need — academically, socially, and emotionally — to be successful.
What Is MTSS?
MTSS is a districtwide framework that helps teachers and staff use data to identify student needs early and provide the right level of support at the right time. It’s not a separate program — it’s the way we make sure every student is learning, growing, and connected.
Our system includes:
• Daily “WIN” (What I Need) Time: Dedicated time for students in grades K-10 to receive extra help or enrichment in reading, math, or social-emotional skills.
• Monthly Student Support Meetings: Staff meet regularly to look at data, discuss progress, and plan next steps for students who need additional support.
• Tiered Interventions: Students receive support at three levels — classroom (Tier 1), small-group (Tier 2), and individualized (Tier 3) — depending on what’s needed.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): All students in grades K-8 take part in regular lessons that teach skills like problem solving, self-management, empathy, and teamwork.
• High School Leadership Program: Our high school student leaders take an active role in PBIS and SEL efforts, mentoring younger students and leading schoolwide kindness and GRIT (Gracious, Respectful, Integrity, Teachable) initiatives.
How Has This Helped Our Students?
Our students are showing record levels of growth and achievement thanks to this unified approach.
• 83% of state assessments increased in proficiency from last year.
• Overall district proficiency rose 11.4% across all subjects and grade levels.
• Students in grades 6–8 showed some of the largest improvements, including a +22% increase in 8th-grade English and +18% in 6th-grade math.
• Our middle school was recognized by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as a model site for academic intervention, earning state awards for both student and educator excellence.
These results show what happens when we combine strong teaching, caring relationships, and consistent systems of support — students not only meet standards, they exceed them.
Whole-Child Learning
Academic growth is just one part of the picture. Homer’s MTSS also focuses on the whole child, ensuring that students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn every day. Our PBIS and SEL lessons, trauma-informed practices, and student leadership programs teach students to be responsible, respectful, and resilient — skills that will serve them far beyond school.
Our Promise
Every child in Homer Community Schools deserves to be seen, supported, and celebrated. Through our MTSS framework, we are living that promise — one student at a time.
Shannon Shepherd