Higher NECAP Scores Boost Western Hills' State Ranking

Cranston schools' have gotten back their report cards from the state Department of Education and it's good news for Western Hills Middle School.

The school's recent NECAP scores have prompted the state Department of Education to increase the school's ranking from "typical" to "leading."

Western Hills joins just 10 of 54 middle schools in Rhode Island to be ranked above typical. 

"At the beginning of last year during our first faculty meeting I spoke with the teachers about how I believed that we were not a typical school, we are better than that. I let the staff know that the students wanted to be challenged, and it was our role to meet their needs," said Principal Anthony Corrente in a letter to parents. "The teachers, and students both stepped up to the plate over the past couple of years and today our gains have been announced."

Although reading scores remained "stagnant," Corrente said, math proficiency at the school increased and the biggest gains were achieved in closing the achievement gap between special education and economically disadvantaged students and the rest of the school.

Reading and math scores for special education students increased significantly along with students who get free or reduced price lunch.

"Without a doubt these achievements would not have been possible without the support of the whole Western Hills community," Corrente said. "Students accepted their teachers’ challenges, and worked diligently throughout the year; teachers remained focused on developing and enhancing the skills in each individual student; parents, and family members supported the student and our school by reinforcing the expectations that we all have for our students; our feeder elementary schools help instill positive work as well as set the continual tone of high expectations in all Cranston Public schools."

Editor's note: I've been poking through the school data released today and would like to hear from my readers about what they think. Full report cards and ranking data can be found at the education department's Web site by clicking HERE.