The state’s Education Department has recognized 15 North Shore public schools as “high-performing reward schools” where students do well across the board.
Schools from the Herricks, New Hyde Park-Garden City, Great Neck, Manhasset, Sewanhaka and Elmont districts were named among the state’s 365 reward schools, according to a list released Aug. 19.
The recognized schools include: Center Street School, Denton Avenue School, Herricks High School, Hillside Grade School, Manor Oaks William Bowie School, Lakeville Elementary School, Saddle Rock School, Great Neck South Middle School, Great Neck South High School, Munsey Park Elementary School, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset Middle School, Manhasset Secondary School, New Hyde Park Memorial High School and Stewart Manor School.
In high-performing reward schools, students have consistently high scores on state assessments without “significant gaps” between demographic subgroups, according to a state release.
For example, to be named a reward school, low-income students in that school must have test scores that are at or near the levels of their more affluent peers.
To examine how schools are closing gaps, the state determines a “performance index” for each subgroup in a school and compares it against the performance index for all other students.
If the largest gap between one subgroup and all other students in a school becomes smaller from one school year to the next, that school is more likely to be named a reward school.
The state uses different measurements for elementary and middle schools than for high schools.
Growth in English and math Regents scores is examined for elementary and middle schools, while high schools must have consistently high graduation rates, particularly for students who started high school with low state test scores.
Herricks school Superintendent Fino Celano said his district’s schools appearing on the list is “an excellent accomplishment.”
“This recognition is another example of our staff members’ dedication to their work and our students’ enthusiasm for learning,” he said in a statement. “We are very proud to see our schools shine.”
