by Murray Farish
April 13, 2007
The Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) released its list of “Top Ten” schools for 2006 this week, and both the Webster Groves and Kirkwood school districts figured prominently.
DESE awards its “top ten” designations to schools which place in the top 10 statewide on the grade level Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) tests.
Webster Groves had five district schools, led by Clark and Avery Elementary Schools, which each placed in the top ten in both math and communication arts.
The Computer School and Webster Groves High School placed in the top ten in math, and Steger Sixth Grade Center was a top-ten school in communication arts.
“It’s very gratifying,” said Webster Groves Superintendent Brent Underwood. “We’re ecstatic to have five of our nine schools on the list, and especially glad to see our first-timer, Steger, popping up. We applaud our staff and students.”
Underwood said the recognition was good for students and schools.
“DESE had debated not compiling these lists anymore, because some school districts were complaining,” Underwood said. “Well, those are the districts that never get on the list.
“There are so many lists the state has to compile by law, and often they’re these ‘gotcha’ lists where they tell you what you aren’t doing,” Underwood continued. “The top-ten lists are an opportunity to recognize people for doing well, and that gets to the heart of what we should be about.”
Kirkwood placed four district schools on top-ten lists, paced by Keysor Elementary, which scored in the top ten in both math and communication arts. North Glendale Elementary, Keysor Elementary and North Kirkwood Middle School also placed in the top ten in communication arts.
“I was pleased that we had some representation,” said David Damerall, superintendent of Kirkwood schools. “We’d love to have a larger number of schools.
“Keysor and North Glendale made it in the top-ten list for the first time since I’ve been here, so I’m pleased for them,” he added.