Walls Elementary Named 'School of Promise'
Ohio Department of Education bestows ranking on Kent elementary
Photos
Walls Elementary School has been named a "Schoo of Promise" by the Ohio Department of Education for the 2011-2012 school year.
State officials bestow the designation upon schools that "are helping all demographic groups of students achieve, even when more than 40 percent of the students are identified as economically disadvantaged," according to a district press release.
The honor comes on the heels of the district's first-ever achievement of the state's Excellent with Distinction rating on the latest school report cards report.
According to the district, successful practices in Schools of Promise show:
- Rigorous standards and instruction
- Strong instructional leadership
- Instruction designed for all students’ success
- Parent and community involvement
- Positive school culture
Walls Principal Heidi Singer credited the school's teachers for earning the distinction.
“Our teachers look at the individual needs of each student to identify their strengths and weaknesses," she said. "It’s not a one size fits all approach, nor are we only focused on testing. We are helping each student succeed."
Teresa K.
8:49 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
Congrats to Walls school/ teachers and parents for getting such an honor!
Who knew that Walls had a school population with 40% of the kids economically disadvantaged? With Kent knowing how many of us are struggling at this time, it will come as no surprise when the school levy cant be passed in May.
It's amazing that Kent was able to get two such high distinctions this past year WITH NO NEW TAX DOLLARS! Great work
Chris (Kit) Myers
9:45 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
A "School of Promise." Wow! What next?
Sa;;y
6:21 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
I'm with Teresa on this. If 40% at one elementary school are economically disadvantaged I wonder about the remaining schools?
How can they even consider asking for a new school levy? Kent City Schools should be ashamed of themselves if they put this levy on the ballot.
I, myself haven't had a raise in five years due to "budget cuts". I have had to cut out a lot of things and become extremely frugal in order to keep my house. I think the schools can do more to cut back and save.
Cat Gill
8:40 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
This is ridiculous Mrs. Singer! who do you want to kid?
“Our teachers look at the individual needs of each student to identify their strengths and weaknesses," she said. "It’s not a one size fits all approach, nor are we only focused on testing. We are helping each student succeed."
It is totally the opposite. The Teachers are under so much stress, teaching just for the test and all you care about is the test! Every body in the school knows it. And the bulling? it is terrible! nobody does anything! The public school system is broken and people do not know how to fix it because they have never try anything else. (look at Mr. Sheppard!) If a kid does not learn the way the system teaches he/she is lost and will fail! everybody knows that!
Jon Ridinger
10:43 am on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Anyone can look up the demographics for a particular district or individual school by going to the Ohio Department of Education website and looking up the state report cards. See: http://webapp2.ode.state.oh.us/reportcard/archives/Default.asp. The Kent Schools can be found at http://webapp2.ode.state.oh.us/reportcard/archives/RC_IRN.ASP?irn=044164
For 2011-12, the percentages of "economically disadvantaged" students in Kent were:
District: 40.9%
Roosevelt: 32.4%
Stanton: 41.9%
Franklin: 29.6%
Holden: 60.9%
Longcoy: 49.2%
Davey: 50.5%
Walls: 54.3%