Boardman's West ranks best in Ohio

By Ashley Luthern

aluthern@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

The principal of West Boulevard Elementary is a self-proclaimed “data and numbers guy.”

The latest numbers for the school have reassured Al Cervello that his teachers and students are on the right path.

West Boulevard Elementary had the highest performance index score of any kindergarten through fourth-grade school in the state.

The school’s performance index score was 112.4 on a scale of 0 to 120. The index reflects the achievement of every student enrolled for the full academic year and is a weighted average that includes all tested subjects in the Ohio Achievement Assessments, given to grades 3 to 8.

“What this means is that all of our students are improving,” Cervello said.

In the 2009-2010 school year, 98.8 percent of third-graders were at or above the proficient level in reading and math. In 2008-2009, those percentages were 98.7 for reading and 100 for math.

Last school year, all of the fourth-graders were at or above the proficient level in math, and 98.8 percent were at or above the proficient level for reading. In 2008-2009, the percentages were 98 in math and 96 in reading.

Cervello credits the student success with following best practices and creating programs to help the average student.

“For those students who are passing math, but could be doing better, we have the Math Mentor program,” he said.

The Math Mentor program pairs students with trained volunteers from the community to help with specific math concepts. The school also has a Read Naturally program to help build comprehension.

“I’m really proud of the teamwork that has been done between the teachers, parents and administrators at West Boulevard,” said Superintendent Frank Lazzari. “... It shows when you go above and beyond that great things can happen. All kids can achieve.”

Denise Statler, president of the school’s parent-teacher organization, also said the collaboration helps students excel.

“We say that ‘West is best,’ and I truly believe that. It is a great school. The teachers care. The parents care. We have lots of volunteers and I think that is factor,” Statler said.