Caledonia Elementary School is used to getting awards.
Already one of the 300 elementary schools nationwide classified as a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education, the school added another accolade this week when it was named to the Best Schools’ “50 best pubic elementary schools in the country” list.
TheBestSchools.org is a non-profit that ranks schools at all levels to help parents find the best academic environments for success. Elementary schools were ranked based on test scores for third through fifth graders and school achievements.
Caledonia Elementary has been an “A” rated school by the Mississippi Department of Education for nine years. It was the first school in the state to be chosen as a Master Renaissance Reading and Master Renaissance Math school, an accolade given in response to students’ proficiency in math and reading standardized tests. It was the first school in the country to receive a Master School Certification from the Institute of Academic Excellence.
Lowndes County School District superintendent Lynn Wright attributes much of the schools success to principal Roger Hill. Hill was named district administrator of the year at last month’s LCSD board meeting.
Wright said the many years of Hill’s leadership have led to a very stable and happy staff that has clear expectations for success.
“He has surrounded himself with great teachers,” Wright said.
Dr. Robin Ballard, LCSD assistant superintendent, said assistant principals Christy Adams and Gregory Elliott have done a great job helping Hill run the school and making teachers comfortable.
“He communicates his expectations in a way where everyone knows from the get go what’s expected,” Ballard said of Hill.
Wright said Hill cares about the details at his school ranging from custodial to academic. The superintendent credits the principal with success throughout the district.
“He has laid such a solid foundation that has carried over into the middle school and the high school,” Wright said.
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