by Tyler Andreala
Timber Creek has once again reached the platform of the coveted gold standard of the A-rated school for the 2011-2012 school year. With hard work from all parts of the school, Timber Creek was able to pull itself back up from its previous grade of “B” in the 2010-2011 school year.
The main things Timber Creek focused on to achieve its new and improved rating was making sure all students improved in the areas of math, reading, and science. Assistant principal Kelly Paduano said, “These areas reflect on how each student is improving.” Other focal points were graduation rates, as well as increasing the number of students taking and passing A.P. and dual enrollment classes.
An increased school grade reflects across-the-board improvement. Paduano said, “The school grade is a way to hold the school accountable for teaching every student on campus, however it is not the only way to measure an effective school.” The state Department of Education awards school grades, the state evaluates the school based off of their compiled information that 5 people including paduano compile.
Timber Creek achieved an “A” rating based on its progress during the last year of former principal John Wright’s administration, which began when the school opened in 2001. Gabriel Berrio, Timber Creek’s current principal, plans to keep the grade “A” title by having students and teachers alike working hard.
Berrio believes that opportunities provided by the school, such as helping struggling students and offering Saturday School will keep Timber Creek’s grade of an “A” rated school.
“It is important to have the programs that we do at Timber Creek, like Intensive Reading, which help contribute to our school grade,” Berrio said.