13 ‘Schools of Promise’ revealed in Valley

The program applies to schools with at least 40 percent low-income pupils.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — Thirteen local schools have been dubbed “Schools of Promise” by Ohio’s superintendent of education.

Dr. Susan Tave Zelman has unveiled the list of 146 schools she said show that good teaching and high expectations for all pupils can overcome high levels of poverty.

“No one can deny the tremendous impact that poverty can have on student achievement,” Zelman said. “However, our Schools of Promise demonstrate that committed school building leadership and a positive culture can help all students succeed.”

The state superintendent’s Schools of Promise program recognizes schools across Ohio that are demonstrating high achievement in reading and mathematics for all groups of pupils, despite the fact that 40 percent or more of them come from low-income backgrounds.

Pupils in these schools met or exceeded the state standard of 75 percent passage in reading and/or mathematics for the school year 2007-08. In Schools of Promise, all pupil groups meet the federal requirement of Adequate Yearly Progress.

The local schools making the list, with their percentage of economically disadvantaged pupils, the subjects for which they qualified and the number of years they have qualified are:

UBeaver Local: Calcutta Elementary; 43 percent; math and reading, 2 years.

UBeaver Local: West Point Elementary; 44 percent; math and reading, 2 years.

UWellsville Local: Garfield Elementary; 69 percent; math and reading, 2 years.

UAustintown Local: Davis Elementary; 59 percent; math and reading, 3 years.

UBoardman Local: Market Street Elementary; 41 percent; math, 2 years.

UYoungstown City: Youngstown Early College; 79 percent; reading, 2 years.

UBloomfield-Mespo Local: Bloomfield High School; 42 percent; math and reading, 1 year.

UBrookfield Local: Brookfield Elementary; 54 percent; math and reading, 1 year.

UGirard City: Girard Intermediate Middle School; 49 percent; reading, 1 year.

UGirard City: Prospect Elementary; 50 percent; math, 3 years.

ULaBrae Local: LaBrae Middle School; 41 percent; reading, 2 years.

UNiles City: Bonham Elementary; 50 percent; reading, 2 years.

UNiles City: Jackson Elementary; 66 percent; reading, 1 year.