Prince William county school of excellence awards (Lake Ridge, Fairfax: credit, middle schools)

[American Arrogance]

Just an FYI for those looking at school within PW county:


Twenty-Nine County Schools Named Schools of Excellence
Superintendent of Schools Steven L. Walts has named 29 Prince William County schools (PWCS) as “Schools of Excellence” in the Division’s annual school awards program. Schools that attain this designation must demonstrate high levels of performance. A School of Excellence must be fully accredited by the state, make Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act, and achieve an overall score of 90 out of 100 points on PWCS Strategic Plan-based measures. Selection is based on performance in School Year 2007–08.

Buckland Mills, McAuliffe, and Victory Elementary Schools have earned this distinction for the first time. Mullen, Parks, Penn, and Sinclair Elementary Schools have been named Schools of Excellence for the second year, while Glenkirk, Porter, Sudley, and Vaughan are celebrating their third year of recognition.

Swans Creek Elementary is being recognized as a fourth-year award recipient; Alvey and Pattie Elementary Schools are being honored for the fifth year; Ashland, Coles, and Westridge Elementary Schools are winning their sixth award; and Antietam, Henderson, Marshall, and Montclair Elementary Schools earned their seventh School of Excellence flag.

Seven elementary schools and Brentsville District High School have won the title for the eighth year. The seven elementary schools are Bennett, Bristow Run, Lake Ridge, Mountain View, Old Bridge, Rockledge, and Springwoods.

The annual awards will be celebrated at school sites in the near future. Celebrations will recognize the contributions of the entire school community in achieving the School of Excellence designation.

[HereinVA]

Did I miss it, or was Cedar Point not on the list? I've heard good things about Cedar Point...

[KathyR]

Sadly Cedar Point did not make it this year. I believe it's been a School of Excellence for 5 years prior. I have 2 kids there and I am wondering what happened (I do know the principal has changed).

[barryhussein]

So why the large disparity in SAT scores with all other NoVa jurisdictions?

[EMTnest]

Well, look at the list of schools -- they are ELEMENTARY schools (I don't think there is a middle school or high school listed). Problems begin at the middle school level and then goes to the high school level. And yes, SAT scores are lower compared to other NoVa counties -- don't believe it will go up until they fix the issues at the middle school level. Kids are playing catch-up when they get to high school and it is too late for some kids. Hey, you have middle schoolers who don't know their multiplication tables!!!! They can't do basic math without a calculator. Middle schools tries to fix the problem but this has to be done while trying to follow the pacing guide and curriculum. Can't see it getting better with the $$$$$$ issues as class sizes will probably increase next year. AND let's not get started with the Math Investigations program they have implemented in elementary schools -- will it help when they get to middle school/high school -- Hmmmmm -- I don't think so. They have spent too much money to admit that they are wrong and I pity these poor kids when they move out of the elementary schools and they have to deal with pre-algebra. It is the "poorer" kids whose families cannot afford tutors or have parents capable of supplementing their math skills who will suffer the most. I see what my neighbors with elementary school kids go through and I am so glad my youngest is in high school!

[EMTnest]

I just noticed Brentsville High was listed -- kudos to them!

[barryhussein]

Originally Posted by EMTnest

I just noticed Brentsville High was listed -- kudos to them!

I noticed it listed on FOX News, tonight. In October a 15 yo raped a 14 yo in a school restroom. Tonight, we find out that a PE Teacher has been arrested for "indecent liberties" with two 16 yos. I wonder what award he will get? There is no need to investigate "Math Investigations." Anyone with common sense knows that it is a large scale taxpayer ripoff.

[tgbwc]

Originally Posted by twotimer

Are any listed in the latest US News report? Most are FFX Cty.

Virginia School Tops the Best High Schools List - US News and World Report

I noticed that one of the criterion used in the ranking was AP and IB testing:

"Schools that made it through the first two steps became eligible to be judged nationally on the final step, college-readiness performance, using Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate test data as the benchmarks for success. (AP is a College Board program that offers college-level courses at high schools across the country.) This third step measured which schools produced the best college-level achievement for the highest percentages of their students. This was done by computing a "college readiness index" based on the weighted average of the AP and/or IB participation rate (the number of 12th-grade students who took at least one AP and/or IB test before or during their senior year, divided by the number of 12th graders)"

Consider that Fairfax County pays for students to take these tests, which increases the percentage of participation. I don't believe that Prince William County pays these costs.

[barryhussein]

Prince William allows people with only high school diplomas to serve as teachers. I've heard some of the 19 yos really like to comeback and flirt.

[EMTnest]

Actually if you take an IB/AP course, you are required to take the test and Pr. Wm does pay for it. (don't know if this will continue with the budget issues next year)

Well, school are scrambling to find decent subs (there aren't enough to go around). What do you expect when you pay them so little to deal with these classes (who will act up just because a sub is in there). Subs I know from last year, quit and found jobs in retail. It says something as you deal with lots of people in retail but they say it is better than dealing with those kids!