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Strawberry Park, middle school rated ‘excellent’ by the state

Hayden, South Routt get mixed reviews

Mike McCollum
Second-graders at Soda Creek Elementary School, from left, Wyatt Gebhardt, Jack Ringer and Ruth Holguin count syllables in various words during class Wednesday. Soda Creek and Steamboat Springs High School received "high" ratings in reports released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Education. Strawberry Park Elementary School and Steamboat Springs Middle School maintained "excellent" ratings.
Brian Ray

Steamboat Springs — Steamboat Springs Middle School and Strawberry Park Elementary School maintained “excellent” ratings in reports released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Education. — Steamboat Springs Middle School and Strawberry Park Elementary School maintained “excellent” ratings in reports released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Education.

— Steamboat Springs Middle School and Strawberry Park Elementary School maintained “excellent” ratings in reports released Wednesday by the Colorado Department of Education.

Principals of both schools were quick to credit students and staff for the achievement.

“I’d just like to say how proud I am of students and staff at the middle school, and I appreciate the support the parents give us,” middle school Principal Tim Bishop said. “Our teachers, day in and day out, do a fantastic job of educating our students.”



Strawberry Park Principal Brenda Barr said the achievement is a testament to the school’s goal of meeting the needs of every child.

“I think it is wonderful that the dedication and hard work of the teachers and students is recognized,” she said. “There is always things to improve, but they are doing an excellent job.”



School Accountability Reports are based on each school’s Colorado Student Assessment Program, or CSAP, scores. The reports compare 2007 CSAP scores in schools across the state to determine ratings for the 2006-07 school year. The state rates the top 8 percent of schools as “excellent;” the next 25 percent as “high;” the next 40 percent as “average;” the next 25 percent as “low;” and the bottom 2 percent as “unsatisfactory.”

In Steamboat, the middle school and Strawberry Park retained their status as “John Irwin Schools of Excellence,” meaning they are among the best schools in the state as determined by student test scores.

“I guess for a number of years, the middle school was a high-achieving school, and over the last three years it’s been designated a school of excellence,” Bishop said. “We have improved every single year of the past six years. Any business or corporation would be proud their product improved consistently.”

SSHS and Soda Creek

Steamboat Springs High School received a rating of “high” for the second consecutive year. Soda Creek Elementary School also was rated “high.”

The reports rated academic growth at both schools as “stable.”

Interim Superintendent Sandra Smyser took pride in how well district students performed.

“Congratulations also to our teachers, support staff and administrators for a job well done,” she said. “Our students continue to improve and to score well, and it is evidence of great schools, supportive parents and a great, supportive community.”

The North Routt Community Charter School’s middle school was rated “high,” down from “excellent” last year. The school’s elementary program also dipped, receiving an “average” rating after earning a “high” rating last year.

South Routt, Hayden

Across Routt County, Hayden Middle School improved its rating from “average” last year to “high” this year. But Hayden Valley Elementary School saw its rating drop from “high” in 2006 to “average” this year. Hayden High School was rated “average” for the second straight year.

“With the elementary school, I do not feel that is a reflection of what is going on,” Hayden Superintendent Mike Luppes said. “We have a real good school there that is definitely better than an average school.”

Luppes added that he was pleased with the middle school achievement, but surprised the high school wasn’t rated “high.”

School Accountability Reports for the South Routt School District show the high school and middle school improved their ratings, from “average” last year to “high” this year. Conversely, South Routt Elementary School dropped to “average” from its rating of “high” in 2006.

“We are gratified with the results that show improvement at the middle school and high school,” South Routt Superintendent Kelly Reed said. “However, we hope to see those scores continue to rise.”

Reed said he anticipates the elementary school to improve next year.

“The elementary school dropped slightly the last two years, but we believe it has leveled out,” he said. “Overall, we are very happy. The results are a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our staff, support staff and administration.”

– To reach Mike McCollum, call 871-4208

or e-mail mmccollum@steamboatpilot.com


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