6 Greenwich Schools Named 'Schools of Distinction' by the State

Six of Greenwich’s 11 public elementary schools have been named Schools of Distinction by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE).

The school district, in an announcement Wednesday, said the state rankings are the results from the 2014-2015 Next Generation Accountability system.

But what it all means and how the rankings were calculated were not released. The Greenwich Public Schools said it will release additional analysis of school results under the new CT Accountability System next week.

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The following Greenwich Public Schools have been named Schools of Distinction by the CSDE:

• Parkway School
• North Street School
• International School At Dundee
• Riverside School
• Old Greenwich School
• North Mianus School

According to the CSDE, schools are placed into one of five of the following categories based the new accountability system:

1 and 2: Schools Identified for Targeted Intervention and Support (Turnaround and Focus)

3. Schools of Distinction (High Performance either Overall or for the High Needs Subgroup)

4. Schools where High Needs Performance Index Exceeds the Overall District Index

5. Schools Previously Identified as Turnaround or Focus in December 2012 that have exited.

The schools not included in the list were New Lebanon, Hamilton Avenue, Glenville, Julian Curtiss and Cos Cob.

For the 2015-16 school year the CSDE will identify schools in three categories: the lowest performing schools overall (Turnaround), schools with the lowest performing student subgroups (Focus), and Schools of Distinction.

School Superintendent William McKersie said in a statement, "We are pleased to have six of our schools highlighted by the state for their excellent performance. It speaks to the rigorous and tireless work of our teachers and administrators."

McKersie added, "I know that our other schools also have made very good strides."

Patch file photo.