10 schools’ achievements recognized

 It was evident by the full board meeting room in the Dr. John Bertrand Building, which houses the Acadia Parish School Board office, that Acadia Parish schools have excelled beyond measure once again.

“It’s always exciting when we can recognize our schools,” said Margaret Jones, executive director of curriculum.

At its November meeting Monday night, the board recognized 10 schools – two of which were recognized twice – for earning A letter grades and/or were named Top Gains Schools.

Schools that received a School Performance Score of 100 or higher earned a letter grade of A from the Department of Education. The Acadia Parish schools that earned these scores and grades for the 2013-14 school year were Branch Elementary (100.2), Mire Elementary (102), Estherwood Elementary (103.9), Mermentau Elementary (106.3), Richard Elementary (111.4) and the highest performer for the year, Egan Elementary (112). Principals from all six schools were on hand and were quick and eager to thank the faculty and staff at each of their schools.

“Last year we moved from a C to a B and the teachers were not happy,” said Branch Elementary School Principal Marlene Courvelle. “They asked me what they needed to do to get up to an A.”

Mire and Estherwood elementary schools also started as C schools two years ago and worked their way up to an A.

Last year, Acadia had only three A schools – Mermentau, Richard and Egan elementary schools. Those schools maintained their A-average, and, in some cases, grew.

“It’s great to be recognized, but I would like to recognize the heart and soul of Egan Elementary, the faculty and staff,” said Egan Elementary School Principal Neal Young. “These ladies do a fantastic job. They love our kids.”

Egan and Estherwood were among the six schools recognized Monday as Top Gains Schools as well. Top Gains Schools are designated by the Louisiana Department of Education for achieving their growth target and meeting subgroup components. Egan grew by 6.7 points, Estherwood by 12.3 points.

Central Rayne Kindergarten and Martin Petitjean Elementary School both grew by 10.6 points and were quick to compliment not only their staffs, but the great working relationship the schools have cultivated.

“It starts at pre-k (pre-kindergarten),” said Central Rayne Kindergarten Principal Christy Higginbotham.

“Central Rayne has provided a great foundation,” said Martin Petitjean Elementary School Principal Kim Cummings.

Iota Elementary increased by 12 points, but the highest gainer, South Crowley Elementary, left the board in awe with its 24.3 point increase.

“South Crowley was an F school two years ago and is now 1 point away from an A,” said School Board President Doug LaCombe. “That goes to show you there should be no excuse for any school.”

For her part, South Crowley Elementary Principal Irma Trosclair thanked her staff and faculty and said that the school is proving that just because an area may have poverty or at-risk students, they can learn at the same rate as any other student.

“We are very excited at South Crowley,” said Trosclair. “We are having a good time with our kids, our teachers and the parents.”