Last year, Belton ISD had five recognized campuses but none met exemplary standards. This year Leon Heights Elementary qualified for exemplary status.
Leon Heights was one of two schools to receive an exemplary rating out of the 102 schools in Bell County.
“My first reaction is that I’m ecstatic and excited about the exemplary rating,” said Pam Neves, Leon Heights Elementary principal. “But, I know that is reflecting our entire district.”
To earn an exemplary rating, the school has to receive 90 percent or higher in all of the indicators for the TAKS test.
“It always feels good to excel,” said Dr. Vivian Baker, Belton ISD superintendent. “We do work as a community. Those ratings are an outward sign of our hard work.”
The only other exemplary campus in Bell County was Cedar Valley Elementary in Killeen ISD.
The Belton district’s Lakewood Elementary, Sparta Elementary and Joe M. Pirtle Elementary were recognized for the second year in a row. The newest recognized honoree making its way up from academically acceptable is Lake Belton Middle School.
Kathy Cook, principal of Lake Belton Middle School for 2006-2007, said the school identified all the areas they needed to concentrate on around October.
“In January we identified any students who needed extra work before the TAKS test. We had after-school tutorials for those students,” Cook said. “Our great gains are due to the hard work of the entire staff, students and their parents.”
The number of exemplary and recognized campuses declined around the state this year. In 2006, 3,390 campuses received either a rating of exemplary or recognized. This year, that number has dwindled to 2,982, despite an increase in school campuses across the state.
However, the number of exemplary campuses did peak this year with 637 campuses receiving the honor. Only 564 campuses were deemed exemplary in 2006.
Overall, Belton ISD held its position as academically acceptable.
“It’s not so much the rating, even though that’s very important,” Ms. Baker said. “It’s all the team effort to get there and the teachers’ commitment.”
In recent years, the district adopted a new teaching style where teachers joined together to bounce ideas off one another. It also purchased new science equipment and newer technology, which Baker said have made quite a difference.
“Each year we are refining and learning more about focusing on student learning,” Baker said.
While that shift may have led to the successful TAKS test numbers, Baker believes “the people” deserve credit as well.
“Our community really believes in our motto - ‘Every kid a winner,’” Baker said. “That’s what we focus on - that each child can succeed and grow.
“It is all of us working together.”
lfrase@temple-telegram.com
