Many tout the public schools in Bridgeport as among the best in West Virginia. A recent report shows that Bridgeport Middle School and Bridgeport High School are doing nothing to buck that trend, while the elementary schools are also in the upper percentile.

 

The Web site schooldigger.com recently released its West Virginia Assessment test scores and have updated the rankings of schools at all levels through the Mountain State. As it turns out, the Braves are leading the charge.

 

Just like in 2015-2016, the 2016-2017 assessments have just been released and Bridgeport Middle School is ranked as the number one middle school statewide. They are ranked first among 176 schools.

 

“This is a great accomplishment for the entire BMS family,” said first-year Principal David Mazza. We believe that the education of our children is a collaborative effort involving the teachers, students, parents, staff and administration. We’ve all worked hard together to obtain this success.”

 

The honor isn’t just random. Schooldigger uses various data to determine the rankings. According to their Web site they use the West Virginia Department of Education assessment test scores in Mathematics, English Language Arts and Science. The update was done on Jan. 16 and, according to the site, are compiled from the most recent scores available to give the results for the 2016-17 school year.

 

Other data used in the rankings come from other sources. Those sources include the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education and the West Virginia Department of Education.

 

“There are three factors I look at to having a successful school that all work together. Number one are teachers, and I’ve got great teachers,” said Mazza. “Second thing are incredible parents because they’re involved and support the children and they support the school. Perhaps most important is they put high expectations on their children.

 

“The third thing is we have amazing kids. They get here each morning ready to learn,” Mazza continued. “You put those first two together with the third one and the outcome is success. We’re certainly proud of this.”

 

While Bridgeport High School didn’t finish in first as the site indicated the school did last year, they weren’t far from the top. The Indians were ranked the number three high school in West Virginia out of 122.

 

“You’re still happy because you’re near the top and we know we’ve tested well in the areas that have been used for this calculation,” said DeFazio. “We’re thrilled to continually be in the top five, but as a competitive school our goal is to always improve and be the best and if we weren’t trying to be the best then we would need to get out of the education business.”

 

George Washington High School was ranked number one in West Virginia. East Fairmont was just ahead of Bridgeport in the second position.

 

“We’ve already reviewed the formula and will try to narrow down where our weaknesses are. We did drop off in our English scores in comparison to the two schools in front of us,” DeFazio said. “It’s just one of those years with testing because we have a very strong English department.

 

“Getting ranked this high is an honor and a tribute to the community, students, teachers, parents and staff,” he continued. “We’re doing what we need to do to fulfill our obligation we have to the parties involved in the collective education community in Bridgeport. This is still something to be proud of.”

 

Bridgeport is ranked in the upper segment of schools in the elementary levels. Out of 399 schools ranked in West Virginia, Johnson Elementary comes in at the No. 25. Simpson Elementary comes in at 109 in the list.

 

Click HERE for the high school rankings.

 

Click HERE for the middle school rankings.

 

Click HERE for the elementary school rankings. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Bridgeport Middle School Principal David Mazza, right, with Assistant Principal Gary Oldaker. Bottom photo shows Mark DeFazio, left, with Assistant Principal Matt DeMotto.