Newton School Superintendent Tom Messenger says District administrators are still processing what different components of the Iowa Department of Education’s annual ranking of schools mean for the School District. The rankings released last week include overall ratings of “Commendable” for Emerson Hough, Thomas Jefferson, and Woodrow Wilson Elementary Schools. Aurora Heights Elementary’s overall ranking was “Acceptable”, but the state report identified Newton High School, Berg Middle School, and the alternative high school West Academy as needing additional support from under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Messenger says the Middle School and High School have subgroups performing well below their peers.

“For the Middle School its African American, Hispanic, IEP, and Free and Reduced Lunch students. At the High School it’s for IEP students or students with disabilities.”

West Academy was designated as needing comprehensive support from the federal government for either having a graduation rate less than 66%, or being in the lowest performing 5% of all federally funded Title 1 public schools. Messenger says the Middle School, High School, and West Academy administrators will need to formulate a plan to close the learning gap between these student groups and the rest of the student body. You can find the Iowa Department of Education’s full report at: iaschoolperformance.gov

Hear more about the report from Newton School’s Superintendent Tom Messenger on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.