BOSTON - The Sarah Greenwood K-8 School is one of only 52 public schools in the country that has been named a "Title I Distinguished School" by the National Association of State Title I Directors (NASTID). The Dorchester school was recognized for outstanding results in closing the achievement gap between student groups.
Kathryn Manning, president of NASTID, said "Title I Distinguished Schools, despite great challenges, hold their students to high standards and take seriously their charge to improve children's learning. The selected schools are an example to other Title I schools of approaches, programs, and creative education techniques that work."
The Sarah Greenwood School serves nearly 400 students, 99% of whom are students of color, and 31% of whom are English Language Learners. It is a dual language school, where all students learn in both English and Spanish. On the English Language Arts portion of the Spring 2005 MCAS exams, 93% of Sarah Greenwood students in Grade 7 scored in the two highest performance categories - Advanced and Proficient - with the remaining 7% passing the test, and no students failing. In June 2005, the school was named a Compass School by the Massachusetts Department of Education for gains on the MCAS exams.
"The Sarah Greenwood School is living proof that we can close the achievement gap," said Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant. "This school is demonstrating that with high expectations and rigorous instruction, students of all races and socio-economic backgrounds can achieve at the highest levels. We are delighted that the staff and families of this school have been recognized for their hard work and impressive results."
Title I is the largest federal aid program in K-12 education. Since 1996, the National Association of State Title I Directors (NASTID) has selected examples of superior Title I school programs for recognition. The Title I program has served over 150 million children in need of extra academic support in reading, writing, and math since 1965.
"At its core," said Manning, "Title I is a reading and mathematics program. But these distinguished schools go beyond academics. They work to improve citizenship, character, enjoyment of the arts, and community spirit. They also know the importance of making the school a hospitable hub of the community."
Schools are selected based on these criteria, as well as examination of three years of achievement data, and a site visit. The winning schools will be honored in a ceremony at the NASTID annual conference in Dallas in January.
Other Boston Public Schools that have received this award in the past include the Murphy K-8 School in Dorchester, the Timilty Middle School in Roxbury and the McKay K-8 School in East Boston.
For more information about the National Association of State Title I Directors, visit www.titlei.org.