Tiverton's Ft. Barton School ‘Commended’ for fifth straight year

TIVERTON — For the fifth year in a row, Tiverton’s Fort Barton School has made the state’s list of Commended Schools, the highest classification offered by the RI Department of Eduction (RIDE). Results were from RIDE’s 2015 ‘Report Card.’

Only Bristol’s Rockwell Elementary School in Bristol has received that honor five straight years. Twenty-two Rhode Island schools were listed as Commended this year.

To receive Commended status, a school must receive a score of 90 or above — Fort Barton scored 91.

“To be only one of two schools in the state to have achieved Commended

status for five years in a row is quite an achievement,” said Tiverton Superintendent of Schools William Rearick. “Principal) Wordell and her staff continue to demonstrate that all students can learn at a high level.”

“We're beyond ecstatic,” said Fort Barton Principal Suzette Wardell. “Being recognized as a commended school for so many years in a row means that our students leave well-prepared and have a deep love of learning, and hopefully become life-long learners.  This achievement really speaks to students coming to school ready to learn daily, the professionalism and dedication of wonderful teachers and staff, and terrifically supportive families.  We're so proud to represent Tiverton as a Commended School for the fifth year in a row.”

RIDE uses only three school classifications — one for high performing schools and two for schools that need improvement. None of the other Tiverton or Little Compton schools (nor most schools in the state) were listed in any of the three categories.

“PARCC results at all our elementary schools and middle school was very strong last year,” the superintendent said. “We are implementing strategies at the high school which are designed to improve student achievement.”

Little Compton’s Wilbur & McMahon Schools and both Tiverton High School and Portsmouth High School were among 50 schools in the state issued ‘Alerts’ because of their low participation rate in the PARCC assessments.

At Tiverton High, 79.9 percent of students took the reading test and 74.4 percent took the mathematics test. At Wilbur & McMahon, 87.4 percent of students took both the reading and math tests. At Portsmouth High, 48.4 percent took the reading test and 49.1 percent took the math test. The state target rate is 95 percent.

“The participation rate represents a two year average,” Supt. Rearick said. “ The participation rate at the high school improved significantly last year. I believe this trend will continue.”

• Priority Schools have the lowest index scores in the state;

• Focus Schools have the lowest scores (aside from Priority Schools) for proficiency or gap closing;

• Commended Schools have the highest index scores in the state and no achievement gaps; they can be recognized either for high achievement or for closing gaps.

Tiverton schools

Overall scores (100 is top possible) for other Tiverton schools were:

• Pocasset Elementary, 59

• Tiverton High School, 63

• Tiverton Middle School, 74

• Ranger Elementary, 76

Little Compton schools

Scores for Little Compton were:

• Wilbur & McMahon School, 71

• Portsmouth High School, 77

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I congratulate our 2016 Commended Schools for their high levels of achievement and for closing learning gaps,” said Barbara S. Cottam, chairwoman of the Board of Education. “I want to thank the students, teachers, and families in these school communities for their commitment to excellence.”