Crane's Mesquite named High Performing Reward School

At a Crane Elementary School District board meeting Tuesday, Mesquite Elementary was recognized as being a Title 1 High Performing Reward School in a letter from the Arizona Department of Education.

Superintendent Bob Klee read the board a letter from state Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal addressed to Mesquite Principal Kristine Reed regarding the honor.

Huppenthal stated that the campus had achieved the title because it earned an A letter grade from the state, met Annual Measurable Objectives, had above-average achievement and growth among bottom quartile students and a current year graduation rate greater than 80 percent.

“Under your strong leadership, having met the above-mentioned criteria, your staff is equipping students within the skills needed for achieving college- and career-readiness and preparing them for the many choices and challenges they will encounter beyond high school. We will be striving throughout this year to find ways to recognize or highlight your school. Again, I commend you and your staff on your excellent education results uplifting the quality of education for Arizona's students,” said Huppenthal.

In other meeting news, district principals presented information about their campus letter grades given out by ADE.

Approximately 50 percent of the A-F letter grades for elementary and middle schools are made up of a composite score consisting of the percent passing the AIMS test and the percent of ELL students that are reclassified. The other 50 percent is looking at student growth for all students as well as the growth of the lowest performing students.

Based on those percentages, schools and districts are given a composite score worth 100 points and a growth score worth 100 points. Schools awarded 140-200 points receive an A, 120-139 points a B, 100-119 points a C and 0-99 points a D.

Currently, the Crane district has two A schools, seven B schools and one with a C.

Mesquite Elementary went from 151 points last year to 143 points this year to receive an A score, Valley Horizon Elementary from 135 to 133 to receive a B, Centennial Middle School from 111 to 117 to receive a C, Rancho Viejo Elementary from 116 to 122 to receive a B, Pueblo Elementary from 119 to 129 this year to receive a B, Salida Del Sol Elementary from 129 to 125 to receive a B, Crane Middle School from 130 to 139 a B, Ronald Reagan Elementary remained at 130 to receive a B, Gary Knox Elementary from 123 to 127 to receive a B and H.L. Suverkrup Elementary from 136 to 142 to receive an A.

Board member Mary Garcia said the district should be commended for its continual work to improve student achievement.

Board president Brenna Paulin added, “We all know it's a process, we all know that we have work to do, but it's obvious to me that we are moving forward. We are making gains.”

Lastly, Garcia was nominated by her fellow board members for the Arizona School Boards Association All-Arizona School Board Award. According to ASBA, the honor is given to board members who show best practices in boardsmanship, understand their roles and follow through on their responsibilities.

Sarah Womer can be reached at swomer@yumasun.com or 539-6858. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSSarahWomer or on Twitter at @YSSarahWomer.