Many schools take pride in their school grade and work hard to achieve good scores. For the first time in history, Southeast High School received a “B” rating as their school grade.
It is a significant accomplishment for Southeast to have a “B” rating for the first time ever, but it is possibly an even bigger accomplishment that the school jumped from being a “D” school to a “B” school in only one year.
Not only that, but Southeast actually had enough points to attain an “A” rating, but was penalized due to a lack of improvement in the graduation rate and lower quartile of students. Nonetheless, a “B” rating is definitely something to be proud of.
Few people realize how much time and effort goes into changing a school grade. A school’s grade is established based on the amount of improvement every student makes regarding the Sunshine State Standards, and the amount of improvement made by the lower quartile of students on the FCAT. Raising a school grade definitely requires participation of teachers and students.
Southeast principal Catherine Smith reflected recently on the school’s success.
“My first reaction to the grade was great joy for the students, staff, parents and community of Southeast. It was wonderful to see that the hard work by everyone had paid off and we were at a level recognizing the talents of our students,” Smith said.
She is not the only one rejoicing about this news. All of the students, teachers, staff and parents are equally pleased.
“I am proud to be a B school! I am very happy that there has been a change in our grade,” senior Jordan Kalathia said. “We should definitely shoot for an A next year because we are obviously capable.”
Another senior, Alexandra Baruffi, was also happy to be attending a “B” school. She felt that teachers were “more engaged last year” over previous years.
Others thought the improvement was more of a student effort. While that may be so, it raises the questions: “Why now, and why the two letter-grade jump?”
Improving from a “D” to a “B” in one year could be a result of more effort from teachers or students alike, although some teachers noticed no changes within the students. Likewise, some students experienced no changes with their teachers. If that’s true, the difference between a “B” and “D” school could be quite subtle. For some observers, the jury is still out.
Many teachers aimed to improve their teaching styles to raise the school grade, including elective teachers.
Art instructor Kathy Campbell implemented more reading and writing exercises and made connections with the students.
When asked if she thought Southeast could maintain a “B” rating she said, “Yes, absolutely.”
She also believes it was both a student and teacher effort in raising our grade. As in any school, the principal had an important role in raising the grade.
“As the principal it is my job to set the vision of the school and how each of us can contribute to the outcome. I work with the department chairs very closely to decide how to get the best services to every student. I look at the data and make sure that we are on track to get the best scores we can,” said Smith.
As for how the school can continue to maintain the “B” rating, she said, “No one can ensure that a school will achieve success because it comes down to the students and their desire to do well on the tests that we have prepared them for everyday.
“If the students who need help come and get that help, those students who are comfortable with their knowledge take the tests seriously, and students overall make it a priority to do their best, we will be fine,” Smith said.
Additionally, Smith has even higher expectations for next year. She wants to stay at the B level but more importantly have every senior walk across the stage in June to get their high school diploma.
“Without that diploma, there is very little out in the world for a person to do for a living. I want everyone from Southeast to have all of the options to choose from because they got the diploma,” she said.
It would be a noteworthy accomplishment if every senior received their diploma and left prepared for a bright future.
Southeast High School is finally being recognized for its efforts. Clearly, the students and teachers of Southeast came together and succeeded in a common goal of raising the school grade.
Now that it has been proven that Southeast High School can achieve a “B” rating, could an “A” rating be on the horizon?
