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November 15, 2009
Editorial
  • Exemplary schools a boon to the community
    • By:
    Editorial

    Nine schools in Putnam County were honored with an Exemplary status last week, and they are to be commended.

    The schools are:

     Hurricane High

     Winfield High

     Poca Middle

     Confidence Elementary

     Eastbrook Elementary

     Hometown Elementary

     Poca Elementary

     Scott Teays Elementary

     West Teays Elementary

    These schools have met rigorous criteria to earn the distinction, which is the "gold standard," according to one state school official.

    The process of qualifying for Exemplary status is tough. According to the state board of education, each school met the following standards.

  • All schools are ranked by the percentage of students proficient in each subject, including reading/language arts, math, science, social studies as well as the Writing Assessment. Schools earning the top combined ranking are eligible for the next step of ranking on a student achievement index. All students in each school are ranked by a student achievement index in each subject on the WESTEST and Writing Assessment, with progressive weighting for scores at each performance level (.25 for Below Mastery, .5 for Mastery, .75 for Above Mastery, and 1.0 for Distinguished) and aggregated for a total ranking. The top 10 percent weighted ranking for elementary, middle and high schools are designated as Exemplary if other criteria are met.

  • The student attendance rate is at or above 94 percent in the most recent year for which data are available.

  • The student graduation rate is at or above 85 percent.

  • The percentage of graduates of high schools who declare their intent to enroll in college and other post-secondary education is 55 percent.

  • The percentage of students who successfully complete Advanced Placement, dual credit and honors classes as defined in Policy 2510 is at or above 5 percent in high schools.

    • The additional requirements for high schools made the competition so tough that only five in the entire state made the cut.

    What company are Hurricane and Winfield high schools keeping?

    George Washington, Fairmont Senior and Bridgeport were the only other state high schools to be named Exemplary. All have strong reputations of academic excellence.

    And, significantly, each of those other high schools is the only in its county to be recognized. Putnam is the only county with two high schools on the list.

    Putnam County also has six elementary schools on the list. The only county with more is Kanawha with seven.

    Educators, students and parents at these Exemplary schools all deserve recognition and thanks for the hard work.

    Good schools are a critical component of a strong community, and the sheer number of Exemplary schools in Putnam County makes the case that it's one of the best communities in the state.