Danbury has seven elementary Schools of Distinction for academic improvement

For a second consecutive year, seven elementary schools in Danbury have been named “Schools of Distinction” for the 2018-19 school year by the Connecticut Department of Education.

According to a recent report, Hayestown Avenue, Mill Ridge Primary, South Street, Great Plain, Ellsworth Avenue, Stadley Rough and Western CT Academy of International Studies schools were all noted for their performance and/or growth in student success.

This recognition is given to schools in the top 10 percent of the state for performance and/or growth. The Danbury elementary schools were among the more than 100 recognized statewide from more than 1,000 Connecticut public schools. Danbury had the highest number of recognized schools, along with the Greenwich district.

As for the schools of distinction, Great Plain was named as a high performance and high growth school for all students; Ellsworth, Hayestown, South Street and AIS were also recognized for high growth in all students.

“We are proud of all of our schools, and this recognition is indicative of the hard work that our teachers and administrators put into making sure that our students are achieving their academic goals,” said Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella. “We are a community of learners and this recognition is confirmation of that.”

Titled “Connecticut’s Next Generation Accountability System,” Department of Education’s standards rely on a broad set of 12 indicators that measure how well a school is preparing students for success in college, careers and life. The system now moves beyond test scores and graduation rates that, in addition to measuring academic achievement, also focuses on student growth over time. The assessment also includes additional key indicators, including academic achievement status measured by new assessments; academic growth; assessment participation rate; chronic absenteeism; and preparation for postsecondary and career readiness – coursework and exams.