MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A week before classes begin for Shelby County Schools, the district celebrated the news that 35 of its schools made the state’s “Reward Schools” list.
That means the schools are in the top 5 percent of schools in the state when it comes to progress or performance.
The district also announced two of its schools, Springdale Elementary School and City University Boys Preparatory, made it off the “Priority Schools” list.
“When I found out, I don’t think it’s even hit me yet,” Springdale Elementary Principal Carmen Gregory said.
Gregory said the school made gains by focusing on science with field trips, experiments and more contact with science careers.
“Science is our area that gave us our biggest growth. So, we think that works out for us,” she said.
“It was a definite struggle at the beginning, but we meet our students where they are,” science teacher Jacqueline Mask said.
A Springdale Elementary student’s uncle affirmed the improved status, telling WREG he noticed a positive change.
Superintendent Dorsey Hopson said the gains made at the 35 schools on the list span neighborhoods and economic status. He chalked up the win to good teachers.
“Now, they go through an intense observation process that is not meant as a ‘gotcha’ but meant to support them in their practice,” Hopson said.
There are 36 SCS schools still on the priority list.
“We’re still very concerned about literacy,” Hopson said. “We talk about that all the time”
The district said it hopes its Comprehensive Literacy Improvement Plan will improve literacy this year and make a difference on the state’s new assessment, TNReady, which includes reading and writing.
Gregory said Springdale Elementary’s good news does not mean the school can simply coast through this school year. She said there is more work to do.
The state did not release a fully updated list of priority schools; that list comes out every three years.
However, the district said the state recognized Holmes Road and Treadwell Elementary Schools for making gains. Still, those gains were not enough to clear the priority list.