With the political rhetoric around education reform in our state reaching a fevered pitch, you are sure to hear Zachary mentioned quite a bit. Both sides will point to the successes of our school district to try to illustrate the merits of their argument. In reality, we in Zachary know the key to our success is community. As the first community school system in this state, we are an example of how a traditional public education system can serve its students. In turn, this community supports our teachers, students and administrators and the result is a district that is a Model of Excellence.
The new State Superintendent of Education John White and the new BESE Board represent a change in philosophical approach to public education in our state. In the next two years, I expect more changes than we have seen in the last twenty.
As we move into a new era in Louisiana Education, I want you to know we are being proactive. Our school board and staff are working on ways to implement the Common Core Standards and other reforms in ways that are seamless and provide the most benefit to our students. Even with the numerous upcoming changes, our focus will continue to be on great teaching and a rigorous curriculum.
As an example of the success of our students, the Zachary Community School Board and I are proud to showcase the outstanding academic achievements of our 7th and 8th grade students at Northwestern Middle School
Our students are the bedrock of our school system. This week we are recognizing and honoring our Northwestern Middle School Students who have excelled in national academic achievement tests.
More than 160 7th graders scored at the 95th percentile on the Duke University Talent Search. This means that the students scored better than 95% of all 7th grade students in the nation who took the test. One-hundered-sixty out of 350 students in the entire 7th grade at Northwestern Middle qualified, this is an amazing number. Thank you to Principal Debby Brian and your teachers and staff, and especially thanks to these students for their hard work.
A remarkable 80 students scored at the 95 percentile on the Johns Hopkins Talent Identification Program test. These results are an incredible testament to the teachers, students, administrators and parents coming together to produce results beyond our expectations.
Today you can see the faces of the success of the Zachary Community School System in our students at Northwestern Middle School. We are proud to recognize the achievements of these outstanding young people.
All of us at the main office are excited about the bright future for the Zachary Community School System with you as a partner. We are constantly working to be a “Model of Excellence” as our vision statement says, and I am confident we will continue to excel.
Warren Drake,
Superintendent Zachary Community Schools
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