Mckinney Schools Make National Achievement List

Mckinney Schools Make National Achievement List

Published: Sunday, November 13, 2011 11:23 AM CST

Three McKinney ISD schools have been named to the 2011 National Center for Educational Achievement (NCEA) Higher Performing Schools List for Texas.

McKinney Boyd High School, C.T. Eddins Elementary School and Roy Lee Walker Elementary School made the list, which recognizes campuses that have demonstrated over the last three years greater achievement when compared to other schools with similar student populations.

A spokesperson for the NCEA said the organization considers two measures in identifying schools for the Higher Performing Schools List: the students' academic growth and students' achievement on the TAKS-Commended standard.

To qualify, students on the campuses must demonstrate outstanding performance in one or both areas.

According to the NCEA website, NCEA identification of Higher Performing Schools comprises just over 10 percent of public schools in the state.

Angela Hall Watkins, assistant vice president and managing director of NCEA, said, "The list of Higher Performing Schools is a valuable tool for any district that wants to evaluate areas of performance that might need strengthening. It's also a great way to compare a school or district to other schools of similar demographics in the state of Texas."

Principals at all three McKinney schools that were named to the list expressed pride and excitement over their school's selection.

"Roy Lee Walker Elementary is proud of our students, staff, parents and community for making the list of Higher Performing Schools," said Deborah Sanchez, Walker principal. "We recognize that it is our strong partnership and collaboration amongst students, parents and teachers that allows us to achieve academic excellence."

Sharon Havard, Eddins principal, said, "I am so proud of Eddins Elementary for their academic achievement. As a campus, we have always set high expectations and our teachers work very hard at making sure are give every possible resource and support needed in order to succeed."

Havard added, "We know that in order for these gains to happen, we must have the support of our community and staff. I think what makes Eddins a higher performing school is its narrowed focus, pride in our school and willingness to do whatever it takes to help students."

Rick McDaniel, McKinney Boyd principal, said, "I can't express enough the depths of my pride in all that this school has been able to accomplish both academically and athletically in our first six years of existence."

He added, "To be one of three campuses in our district recognized by the National Center for Educational Achievement as a campus that has demonstrated greater academic achievement, as compared to other schools with similar populations over the last three school years, is truly a blessing and a testament to the extremely hard working faculty employed on this wonderful campus."

"We know that awards such as this are a group effort and we congratulate all parties involved, including our partnering community members, parents and, most importantly, our Boyd students," he concluded.

For more information about the NCEA, go to www.nc4ea.org.