Dec. 3, 2007, 11:23AM
Fourteen schools in the Katy Independent School District were among an elite group of public schools across the state to be named to Texas Monthly’s “Best Public Schools” list.
A total of 859 elementary, junior high and high schools were published on the list in the magazine’s December 2007 issue.
The magazine in partnership with the National Center for Educational Accountability composed the list of high-performing schools on the basis of Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test results for the past three years. The top 5 percent of schools are automatically included, and the additional schools are added because they performed better than statistically predicted.
Elementary schools
Eight elementary, four junior high and two high schools made the list. Elementary schools are Alexander, Creech, Fielder, Hayes, Katy, Pattison, Williams and Winborn. These elementary schools performed better across all grades on the TAKS test than other similar elementary schools around the state.
“I’ve got a building full of learners,” said Elisa Farris, principal of Alexander Elementary. “This is a learning community, and the kids see the teachers as learners right beside them.”
Farris also explained that this level of success wouldn’t be achieved by the students if it weren’t for the supportive community that enables teachers at Alexander to focus on their jobs.
Hayes Elementary Principal Rhonda Henderson said, “Lifelong learning is one of the goals of students and staff at Hayes Elementary. Teachers participate in continuous and collaborative professional development to enhance instruction.”
“At Fielder Elementary, as a staff we believe in the power of meeting students where they are academically, the power of taking responsibility for all students on our campus, and the power of high expectations,” said Principal Mark Vigario.
Secondary schools
The four Katy ISD junior highs to make the “Best Public Schools” list are Beck, Beckendorff, Cinco Ranch, and McMeans. Junior high and high schools made the list because their students’ improvement on the TAKS test was higher than predicted by their previous test scores.
Principal of Cinco Ranch Junior High Steve Robertson explained, “Our mission statement is the roadmap for achieving our vision of student success, which states that we will provide a secure and supportive environment where respect and responsibility are promoted, individual strengths and achievements are celebrated and creativity is fostered to develop the skills necessary to succeed.”
Cinco Ranch High School and Taylor High School also made the Texas Monthly list.
“Our success is a result of the excellent work that is done on a daily basis by our teachers and staff, and our students,” said David Kendler, principal of Taylor High School. “We are honored and humbled to be a part of this select group of schools that is being recognized. These results will provide us a starting point for further growth and improvement in student performance.”
The Austin-based NCEA, a research arm of the University of Texas and formerly known as “Just for Kids,” analyzed how students performed on standardized tests in measurable curricula areas, such as reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Each school’s demographic makeup was also taken into account.
Details: www.just4kids.org.
