School/District scores ‘exciting news’ for parish

The biggest, and possibly best, news to come out of the release of school performance scores by the Louisiana Department of Education Tuesday, October 21, is that this school district as a whole has increased its score from a C (76.6) to a B (88.7).
Evangeline Parish School Board Superintendent Toni Hamlin said the fact that this school district has increased to a B overall is a monumental achievement. But Hamlin pointed out that the good news didn’t stop there. This parish now boasts eight of its 12 schools are rated A or B.
“We are so proud of the improvements made at our schools,” Hamlin said.
The school performance scores, which are determined by end of course testing, ACT scores and graduation rates, were overwhelmingly positive, with four Evangeline Parish schools earning the designation as “Top Gains” schools. “Top Gains” schools are those showing a score improvement of 10 points or more. Mamou Elementary, Mamou High School, Bayou Chicot Elementary and James Stephens Montessori all fit that criteria. Mamou Elementary showed the largest gain, increasing a total of 16.8 points and two letter grades, moving from an 83.3 (C) last year to a 100.1 (A) this year.
However, according to Hamlin, school principals around the parish have been working since the release of these scores to set new learning targets based on the data they provide.
“We’re delighted with these scores,” Hamlin said. “But they also let us know where our weaknesses are and where we can improve. They help in determining what each school will need to concentrate on.”
While there were some schools whose scores have gone down, those cases were minor, with only two schools decreasing a letter grade. W.W. Stewart, which held the highest school score last year, decreased from a 103.1 (A) to a 95.7 (B) and Chataignier Elementary decreased from an 87.8 (B) to an 80.2 (C).
Overall, parish schools and the school district made great strides in improving their scores and Hamlin said schools are very excited, with some even throwing celebrations for their achievements.
“Hats off to the principals and the teachers for their hard work,” Hamlin said.
Following is a full listing of school performance scores for Evangeline Parish:
•Basile High School - 100 (A)
•Bayou Chicot Elementary - 94 (B)
•Chataignier Elementary - 80.2 (C)
•Mamou Elementary - 100.1 (A)
•Mamou High School - 91.2 (B)
•Pine Prairie High School - 97.9 (B)
•W.W. Stewart - 95.7 (B)
•Vidrine Elementary - 95.9 (B)
•Ville Platte High School - 76.8 (C)
•James Stephens Montessori - 111.7 (A)