The West Virginia Board of Education announced school grades for each public school in West Virginia as part of West Virginia’s School Accountability System (WVAS). And the Bridgeport schools fared quite well in comparison to others in the region and state.

 

Under the system, schools were graded on four components. The components, according to the West Virginia Department of Education includes performance, improvement, persistence and post-secondary readiness.

 

The system was designed to give parents and school communities a yearly update or progress report on several areas when combined together show the level at which students are learning, growing and achieving. The WVAC used an “A-F” grading scale to show where schools are succeeding and where they need to improve.

 

“While there are many ways we can work to improve student achievement and raise educational quality, one critical piece is the adoption and implementation of a statewide accountability system,” said WVBE President Mike Green. “This system is not meant to be punitive, but rather serve as a platform for school improvement.”

 

Under the system, elementary and middle schools were graded on a 1,200-point scale. State high schools were graded on a 1,500-point scale. Both scales utilized areas such as proficiency, growth, attendance, graduation rates, school improvement and more. The formula is a complex one, and information on it and the entire scoring process can be found by clicking HERE.

 

Two schools in Harrison County ended up earning an “A” under the WVAS. Five county schools received a “B” under the system.

 

One of the “A” rankings was for Bridgeport High School.  The school, according to the report released today, showed BHS excelled with Harrison County, having strong showings in improving low-performing students in math. The weakness for Bridgeport was listed as a reduction in at-risk subgroups.

 

“We’re happy in the fact we earned an A on the A to F scale, which means distinctive. However, when I look at all the data and the information I honestly believe that our students can do much better and I know they think I’m never satisfied because I tell them that all the time. In this case we can do better and have room for improvement.

 

“I’m still proud because this is a reflection on the students we have and many of our good teachers we have,” DeFazio continued. “ … I don’t want to play it down, but don’t want to make too big of a deal out of it. If we get a grade, you want the highest grade possible.”

 

The second “A” earned was for Bridgeport Middle School. It had several strong marks in areas involving English, Language and Arts or ELA. As for weakness, it pointed to proficiency in eighth grade math.

 

“That’s a testimony to our teachers, parents and students. This community comes together and have high expectations. Because of that, our teachers are working hard and our students work hard,” said BMS Assistant Principal David Mazza. “We’re like a puzzle and every piece of it has come together here with the teachers, students, parents, administrators and community. When it comes together, it makes a beautiful picture and you see the results.”

 

The good news for Bridgeport continued at the elementary level. Although not receiving the “A” level, both Johnson and Simpson Elementary both earned “B” grades. Those proved to the only elementary schools in Harrison County to earn that distinction.

 

The study pointed out that the schools both had weakness in the “third grade reading proficiency.” Simpson and Johnson then both show high marks for upgrading the scores of low-performing math students.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows BHS Principal Mark DeFazio at a recent graduation, while Bridgeport Middle School is shown below.