FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Terri Heath, Director of Marketing
(662) 328-4479
Annunciation Catholic School excels on national test
Annunciation Catholic School (ACS) students once again far outperformed national averages on the latest Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), Principal Joni House announced this week. House emphasized that the results of the test are only a “snapshot” of how students are performing.
“We teach according to the needs of our students, not to the test,” she said.
ACS scored an overall 73 percent, while schools within the Diocese of Jackson averaged a score of 61 percent on the Fall 2011 test. The national average was 50 percent, House explained to parents at a meeting this week.
“This really is something to celebrate,” said House.
House said the school’s 2011 score also is an increase from 72 percent in 2010 and 71 percent in 2009. “We are continuing to improve,” she said.
In the most-watched area of critical thinking, ACS scored an impressive 83 percent. The Common Core Standards recently adopted by the Mississippi Department of Education and the Diocese of Jackson to improve students’ ability to move beyond rote memorization and apply what they learn has already begun to be implemented at ACS.
“This shows we are in excellent shape as Common Core Standards are implemented throughout the state of Mississippi,” House said. She pointed out that Annunciation is the only non-public school in the area that is accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Language and science were the next highest scores at 80 percent each, followed by a 77 percent in social studies, a 76 percent in listening and in reading, and a 75 percent in math. The lowest score was in spelling, which ACS already is addressing by implementing a Saxon Phonics program that teaches children to apply phonics concepts consistently, House said. The spelling score has improved from 62 percent in 2009 to 66 percent in 2010 and 69 percent in 2011. She said another recently utilized program at ACS is called “6 + 1 Writing” that will help students enhance their writing skills.
“Each teacher will analyze each student’s test scores and will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each student, then plan instruction accordingly,” House said. “Yes it takes time to do that, but it is one of the many things that make Annunciation the excellent center of learning that it is.”
House said the school continuously analyzes its entire curriculum and offers regular professional development courses for its faculty in efforts to encourage all students to reach their full potential.
Parents are excited about those efforts.
Salvadora Keith said she gets her children up extra early so they can make the 30-minute bus ride from Starkville to ACS in Columbus every day. It makes for a longer day, but “it is really worth it,” says Keith, mother of three, two of whom attend ACS and a preschooler who will attend next year.
“I like the school’s small teacher-student ratio so the kids get the attention they need,” Keith said. “I like the values and the morals they learn here, too. But these test results are proof that it’s worth the long bus ride every day.”
Annunciation Catholic School offers classes from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. For more information, call 662-328-4479 or visit www.annunciationcatholicschool.org.
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CONTACT: Terri Heath, Director of Marketing
(662) 328-4479
Annunciation Catholic School excels on national test
Annunciation Catholic School (ACS) students once again far outperformed national averages on the latest Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), Principal Joni House announced this week. House emphasized that the results of the test are only a “snapshot” of how students are performing.
“We teach according to the needs of our students, not to the test,” she said.
ACS scored an overall 73 percent, while schools within the Diocese of Jackson averaged a score of 61 percent on the Fall 2011 test. The national average was 50 percent, House explained to parents at a meeting this week.
“This really is something to celebrate,” said House.
House said the school’s 2011 score also is an increase from 72 percent in 2010 and 71 percent in 2009. “We are continuing to improve,” she said.
In the most-watched area of critical thinking, ACS scored an impressive 83 percent. The Common Core Standards recently adopted by the Mississippi Department of Education and the Diocese of Jackson to improve students’ ability to move beyond rote memorization and apply what they learn has already begun to be implemented at ACS.
“This shows we are in excellent shape as Common Core Standards are implemented throughout the state of Mississippi,” House said. She pointed out that Annunciation is the only non-public school in the area that is accredited by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
Language and science were the next highest scores at 80 percent each, followed by a 77 percent in social studies, a 76 percent in listening and in reading, and a 75 percent in math. The lowest score was in spelling, which ACS already is addressing by implementing a Saxon Phonics program that teaches children to apply phonics concepts consistently, House said. The spelling score has improved from 62 percent in 2009 to 66 percent in 2010 and 69 percent in 2011. She said another recently utilized program at ACS is called “6 + 1 Writing” that will help students enhance their writing skills.
“Each teacher will analyze each student’s test scores and will determine the strengths and weaknesses of each student, then plan instruction accordingly,” House said. “Yes it takes time to do that, but it is one of the many things that make Annunciation the excellent center of learning that it is.”
House said the school continuously analyzes its entire curriculum and offers regular professional development courses for its faculty in efforts to encourage all students to reach their full potential.
Parents are excited about those efforts.
Salvadora Keith said she gets her children up extra early so they can make the 30-minute bus ride from Starkville to ACS in Columbus every day. It makes for a longer day, but “it is really worth it,” says Keith, mother of three, two of whom attend ACS and a preschooler who will attend next year.
“I like the school’s small teacher-student ratio so the kids get the attention they need,” Keith said. “I like the values and the morals they learn here, too. But these test results are proof that it’s worth the long bus ride every day.”
Annunciation Catholic School offers classes from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. For more information, call 662-328-4479 or visit www.annunciationcatholicschool.org.
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