News

Actions

GRPS Showing ‘Significant’ Improvement, According to Mich. Dept. of Education

Posted at 6:43 PM, Aug 20, 2013
and last updated 2013-08-21 02:42:28-04
GRPS Approves Modified Transformation Plan

FOX 17 File Photo

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.–New statistics from the Michigan Department of Education show Grand Rapids Public School District is improving.

 The Michigan Department of Education released their annual “Top To Bottom Ranking List” Tuesday, GRPS saw significant improvement in 27 of 41 schools.

Some of those highlights include five schools moving off the bottom 5% list. Those schools are Alger Middle School, Brookside Elementary, Mulick Park Elementary and Westside Middle.

Shawmut Hills Elementary was also moved off the ‘Focus Schools’ list and four schools ranked in the top 5% as Reward Schools.

One of the most significant gains comes from Union High School being removed from the bottom 5%, after being on it for three years.

 The district says these numbers show a sign of progress and those with children in the district should take some time to celebrate. “I believe that we’re just beginning the good work and movement in the correct direction,” said Rick Noll, Executive Director of Elementary Schools.

 Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal says she knows there is a lot of work ahead especially still at priority schools but as a district they’re dedicated to keep moving things moving in the right direction.

 “What we did at Union High School and all the other schools, making the gains that we have symbolizes a positive trend that this district is moving forward and going forward in the right direction,” she said.