STRUTHERS High school earns state recognition

Students surveyed said their school provides a safe, caring environment.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
STRUTHERS -- A caring staff and students who are encouraged to believe in themselves are reasons Struthers High School was named a "School of Promise," a principal there said.
The school was one of 52 in the state named a School of Promise by State Superintendent Susan Tave Zelman on Monday.
The school inadvertently was omitted from a list of local winners that ran in Tuesday's editions because of a reporting error.
"We work hard to let the kids have faith in themselves, believe in themselves," said Associate Principal Mary Ann Meadows. "We ... let the kids know we believe in them and they, in turn, believe in themselves."
Schools of Promise have poverty levels of 50 percent or higher, but pupil performance levels were at 75 percent or higher -- a passing rate -- on 2003 state Department of Education report cards, which listed 2001-02 proficiency test data. The recognition program was recommended by the Ohio Board of Education's Closing Achievement Gaps Task Force.
Struthers High School was recognized for ninth-grade passage rates of 97.8 percent in reading and 81 percent in math. It is one of 14 of the 52 Schools of Promise that were recognized for achievement in both subjects.
Survey results
Meadows, who is co-principal with Joe Fuline, said a recent survey of students in the school showed they feel safe. They also said they feel as if staff and administrators care about them.
Among other things that make the school strong, Meadows said, is a revamped curriculum, integrated learning and teaching of concepts as opposed to content.
The school also creates Building Assistance Teams that work with students who have difficulty in an area -- from a particular class to time management or organizational skills to homework.
A group effort
Meadows said students are identified as soon as possible and parents and teachers work together to come up with a plan to overcome any issue.
"It really is a group effort," she said. "It's not just the staff here but the involvement of the parents and the community."
Other local schools on the Schools of Promise list are Campbell Memorial High School; Addison Elementary School in the Brookfield School District; Mesopotamia Elementary School in the Bloomfield-Mesopotamia District; Rogers Elementary School in Beaver School District; and MacDonald Elementary School in Wellsville School District.