Ranked

Last week rankings came out for schools in Indiana. The school where I am working was 11th on the list….FROM THE BOTTOM. We were ranked the 11th worst performing school in the state, all schools included (high school, middle, elementary, etc.). On paper our school looked really low. Low test scores, lots of discipline issues, etc.

But then you walk through the halls and classrooms of the school and it is IMPOSSIBLE to believe that anyone could label our students as 11th lowest performing in the state.

I tested a group of 7th grade boys (most of whom were taller than me) and it was impossible for me to see them as the state has labeled them.

Our students spent hours doing their absolute best on the test, I was referred to as ma’am, there was no horse play or disrespect. Students throughout the building wear uniforms with shirts tucked in, the hallways could have 5 classes transitioning at the same time and you might barely hear a peep. Students file in order along the right side of the hallway quickly and quietly. Students are seen encouraging each other to get the answer right.

And that is just the students.

When you look at the teachers you see hard-working, dedicated, caring people. People who are organized, creative and VERY resourceful. Teachers who spent 4 of their 6 week summer developing curriculum and behavior expectations. Teachers who eat lunch and do recess with their kids and still walk them to the bus at the end of the day and wave until the bus is out of sight (I think they just want to make sure the bus really does leave and takes the kids with them:).

And all of this is in a building without walls…yes, with only partitions between rooms (crazy open concept idea from those hippies of the 70’s).

I have had countless people tell me what a marked improvement this is over last year.

Now I can’t wait until next year when the rankings come out and we can say to the state, “look at us now!!!!”