Niantic Center School and Lyme Consolidated Are "Schools of Distinction"

Local schools were among an elite group of 97 schools in 54 districts that were recognized by the Connecticut Department of Education yesterday as being "Schools of Distinction."

Niantic Center School in East Lyme and Lyme Consolidated School in Regional School District 18 were both recognized for highest overall performance on the Connecticut Mastery Test.

LEARN's Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut was honored for highest overall performance on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test. 

"I applaud the schools that are here today—their commitment to education is tremendous and they are part of the larger conversation about replicating what works in education,” said Gov. Dannel Malloy at a ceremony honoring the schools yesterday. 

Schools identified as ‘Highest Overall Performance’ have a School Performance Index (SPI) greater than 88 and are performing within the top 10 percent of schools across the state. These schools have achievement gaps less than 10 SPI points for the majority of their subgroups and, if they are high schools, have met their respective graduation rate targets. 

A category in Connecticut’s new school measurement system, “Schools of Distinction” represent the state’s schools that exhibited either highest overall performance; highest performing subgroups; or highest progress.

“We thank the ‘Schools of Distinction’ for sharing their best practices so that other schools might benefit from their experiences and congratulate the administrators, teachers, and students on their designation,” said Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor.   

For a complete listing of this year’s “Schools of Distinction,” please visit: http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/pdf/nclb/waiver/distinction_schools.pdf