Rockwood earns high marks in MAP tests
By Mary Shapiro

The Rockwood School District ranks first among the state's 524 public school districts in the number of "Top 10" schools in spring 2006 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test results.

The test results were released recently by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Rockwood finished with 44 placements among various grade levels in the Top 10 category for highest-performing schools. Sixteen Rockwood schools achieved the Top 10 ranking.

They include:

> For elementary school communication arts: Chesterfield, Ellisville, Eureka, Fairway, Geggie, Kehrs Mill, Pond, Ridge Meadows and Wild Horse elementary schools.

> For elementary school mathematics: Chesterfield, Eureka, Fairway, Kehrs Mill, Pond, Ridge Meadows, Stanton and Wild Horse elementary schools.

> For middle school communication arts: Crestview, Rockwood Valley and Wildwood middle schools.

> For middle school mathematics: Crestview, Rockwood Valley and Wildwood middle schools.

> For high school communication arts: Eureka and Lafayette high schools.

> For high school mathematics: Lafayette and Marquette high schools.

"What's wonderful is the number of different schools represented," Superintendent Craig Larson told the Rockwood Board of Education on April 5, praising the work of students, teachers and other staff in achieving the results.

"This isn't the work of one individual or school or team," Larson said. "It represents the entire Rockwood system and demonstrates our district's commitment to encourage students to do well."

Board member Steve Banton noted that 16 of the district's 29 schools were recognized, "when other school districts may have only one or two of their schools honored."

This year's Top 10 lists recognized schools for high performance on the spring 2006 MAP tests for students in grades three to eight, 10 and 11 in communication arts and math. The number of times a school district can place in the Top 10 varies with the number of top-performing schools in the district.

You can contact Mary Shapiro at mshapiro@yourjournal.com.