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Eastside Elementary a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School

 Clinton’s fourth- and fifth-grade school, Eastside Elementary, is a 2018 National Blue Ribbon School.

Eastside is one of 349 schools nationwide to receive this recognition from the U.S. Department of Education. Eastside’s award is for an “Exemplary High Performing School.”

“The faculty and staff at Eastside are honored to have been named a National Blue Ribbon School,” said Eastside Principal Cindy Hamil. “We pride ourselves in upholding the district’s legacy of excellence.”

In recent test score data, Eastside fourth-graders showed staggering increases on state tests in English Language Arts, growing from 48.8 percent proficiency in 2016 to 78.2 percent in 2017. Fourth-graders also jumped from 67.9 percent proficiency in math in 2016 to 83 percent in 2017.

Eastside is currently rated A, the highest possible academic rating a Mississippi school can attain, and is expected to maintain this high rating when 2017 ratings are approved by the Mississippi State Board of Education.

The coveted Blue Ribbon award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content.

Now in its 36th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has recognized more than 8,500 schools. Two other Clinton schools have earned this honor, Clinton High School in 1982 and Lovett Elementary School in 2013.

Hamil cited Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm,” as inspiration at her school.

“Being enthusiastic every day has afforded us the positive teaching and learning environment we strive to achieve,” she said. “Our students are excited to come to school and have proven year after year that this enthusiasm pushes them to accomplish more than they could ever imagine.”

Blue Ribbon recipients will be honored at the annual awards ceremony on Nov. 7 and 8 in Washington, D.C.

Chart:

Fourth grade English Language Arts proficient and above:

  • 2018: 71.2%
  • 2017: 48.8%
  • 2016: 53.3%

Fourth grade ELA growth:

All – 89%

Bottom quartile – 75%

Fourth grade Math proficient and above:

  • 2018: 83.3%
  • 2017: 67.9%
  • 2016: 58.3%

Fourth grade math growth:

All – 107%

Bottom quartile – 89%

Fifth grade English Language Arts proficient and above:

  • 2018: 54.2%
  • 2017: 53.8%
  • 2016: 43.4%

Fifth grade ELA growth:

All – 70%

Bottom quartile – 73%

Fifth grade Math proficient and above:

  • 2018: 61.5%
  • 2107: 59.1%
  • 2016: 41%

Fifth grade math growth:

All – 69%

Bottom quartile – 47%

Video:

US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announcement of Blue Ribbon Schools:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=t_DxsVhoWdk

Group photo of Eastside Elementary School faculty and staff for the 2018-19 school year.

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