School report cards are in

Churchill County has seen its scores in the initial Nevada School Performance Framework (NSPF) statewide rankings.

Four of the Churchill County School District’s five schools achieved three-star status — with five stars representing the top of the scale.

The current rankings released last Friday reflect on data from the 2011-12 school year. Rankings due out in the fall will reveal achievements from the 2012-13 testing cycle — and whether schools have made progress.

NSPF has replaced the state’s accountability system known as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). According to the Nevada Department of Education website, the NSPF index score is a composite of several performance indicators, each worth a predetermined maximum number of points.

Bus Scharmann, the Churchill County School District’s interim superintendent, pointed out a more accurate gauge of Churchill schools will be available this fall when the scores are updated by the Nevada Department of Education.

“This has been a transitional year over to the Common Core, so 2012-13 (test scores) will probably be a good indicator on how our schools are making the transition to state standards,” Scharmann said.

He added another factor that needs to be considered when comparing rankings of public schools.

“When you’re dealing with the star ratings, public schools have sub populations — the ELL (English Language Learners), the free and reduced lunch and special education students — that affect teaching and testing,” Scharmann said.

Oasis Academy was at the top of the charts, as the kindergarten-eighth grade charter school received five-star rankings at both the elementary and junior high school levels.

“I think it is a real testament to what can happen in a small environment where you can focus on a small number of students and know their strengths and weaknesses,” Oasis Administrator Melissa Mackedon said. “Of course, you have to give credit to the phenomenal teaching staff who are willing to know those students inside and out.

“Right now we have about 10 percent of the school getting summer enrichment to help boost and maintain their skills. It’s the classroom teachers who teach these classes and I only mention it because I think it represents just how willing they are to help their kids succeed. The kids want to succeed, too. They are coming to tutoring three days a week for six weeks of their summer.”

Numa and E.C. Best elementary schools along with the high school and middle school received three-star rankings and Lahontan Elementary School received a two-star ranking. West End Elementary School, which closed its doors at the end of the 2011-12 school year, was listed with a three-star ranking.

A three-Star school has some areas of success as well as some areas that need improvement relative to student proficiency and/or student growth on the State assessments, according to the Nevada Department of Education website. The school has negotiated flexibility with the school district in decision-making and, when appropriate, is acknowledged for its successes with public recognition.

Looking ahead, Scharmann is particularly upbeat about strides that have been made at Numa Elementary School.

“A couple of years ago Numa was designated as a Needs-Improvement School (under AYP), so that is significant for them to move to the three-star area,” Scharmann said. “And when the results come out in the fall, I think you will see even more significant progress.”