On Tuesday, December 18, 2018, the State Board of Education released the names of the buildings and districts across the State of Ohio that are receiving awards based on 2017-18 report card results. Whittier and Mark Twain elementary schools, in the Westerville City School District, received notification that each building met the criteria for a state level award.
Whittier received an Overall A Award, which is given to any public district or school with an overall A rating on the state report card. In response to hearing the news, Whittier Principal Cheryl Relford said, “We are excited about this accomplishment. As a building, we take great pride in helping each student meet his/her highest potential. Our teachers, parents, families, and community members work together to do what is truly best for our students. Our hardworking students continue to amaze us.”
Mark Twain received a Momentum Award, which is given to any school or district that is able to demonstrate a grade of A on all applicable subgroups under the progress component. Vicki Moss, Principal of Mark Twain Elementary School, attributed the award to the collective efforts of the staff. “This is a true all-school effort. We have had buy-in from every staff member as we work to close our achievement gap. Through small group intervention in all classrooms, we can meet the needs of all students at all levels. Our teachers also work endlessly providing after school intervention and summer support to our most needy kiddos. This award is a tribute to the Mark Twain staff that believes all students can have educational success,” she said.
Dr. John Kellogg, Superintendent of Westerville City Schools, stated, “The staff and students at all of our schools are committed to academic achievement. While we know there are reasons to celebrate the successes of each of our schools, we are especially excited to join with the State Superintendent in honoring Whittier Elementary as an Overall A Award winner and Mark Twain as a Momentum Award winner. These two schools offer us an opportunity to examine what practices of success can be replicated across the district.”