Quitman High School was one of the campuses that achieved a “Met Standard” rating in the 2016 state accountability ratings while also earning all distinction designations applicable to their individual school.

A press release from Texas Education Agency explained distinction designations are awarded to campuses based on achievement in performance indicators relative to a group of 40 campuses of similar type, size, and student demographics. Depending on campus grade levels and type, the number of potential distinction designations can vary. Up to seven distinction designations can be earned for: 

• academic achievement in English language arts / reading;

• academic achievement in mathematics;

• academic achievement in science;

• academic achievement in social studies;

• top 25 percent: student progress;

• top 25 percent: closing performance paps and

• postsecondary readiness.

QHS Principal Dana Hamrick reported the distinctions to the school board at their meeting last week. “We have some really good news. We received all seven of the distinctions and that is pretty incredible,” Hamrick said. “We really blew the top out of everything. It’s such a credit to our students and teachers, what a fantastic job!”

Superintendent Rhonda Turner cited the students and the staff at the school. “I am extremely proud of our high school students and high school staff on their overall performance and certainly excited for them that they received gold stars for all seven of the performance indicators. As always, I want to recognize what our staff does daily to assist students in fulfilling their fullest potential,” Turner noted. “We are so proud of our students, teachers, and staff on the tremendous strides they have made this past year as reflected by multiple measures throughout the school year. We value the many varied accomplishments of our students and celebrate each and every success.”

In the TEA release Commissioner of Education Mike Morath quoted, “Earning one or more campus distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a community. Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment and should signal to parents that there is extraordinary work taking place on that campus.”

Mineola High School received a distinction in English language arts / reading and Mineola Middle School earned distinctions in English language arts / reading as well as in science and student progress.

Alba-Golden Elementary School received distinction in English language arts / reading. Yantis Elementary School received one distinction in student progress while Hawkins Elementary School received distinctions in science and student progress.

The only other Wood County school to earn all possible distinction designations at the elementary level was Winnsboro Elementary School. Winnsboro High School received six of the seven distinctions while Winnsboro Middle School earned distinctions in English language arts / reading, science and student progress.