During a recent Board of Education meeting, members were recognized for their service in honor of Board of Education Recognition Week. Certificates of appreciation were presented to board members, including Samantha, James, Jesse, Michelle, Warren, Teddy, and Abby, acknowledging their contributions to the educational community.
The meeting also featured a report from the Abel Park High School learning team, highlighting significant improvements in student performance and engagement over the past year. Superintendent Carrie emphasized the importance of consistent board goals, which have allowed the school to focus on critical issues effectively.
Key achievements included an all-time high of 88% of students passing all classes, a notable increase from 83% the previous year. Attendance rates improved, with less than 2% of students having five or more unexcused absences during any ten-week period. Additionally, student participation in extracurricular activities rose to 72%, up from 69%.
Behavioral issues also saw a decline, with disciplinary referrals dropping from 1,333 to 803. The school reported strong performance in Advanced Placement (AP) exams, with 84% of students scoring a 3 or better, and improvements in Regents exam passing rates, particularly in upper-level courses.
Looking ahead, the school plans to maintain its focus on improving outcomes in entry-level courses and continuing the success of initiatives like Operation Graduation, which helped 14 out of 15 at-risk seniors graduate on time. The meeting concluded with optimism for the upcoming school year and the ongoing commitment to student success.