RESERVE — Seven out of nine schools in St. John the Baptist Parish showed marked improvement in their growth school performance scores, including one school that topped the 120-point mark and earned a four-star rating, according to data released today by the Louisiana Department of Education.

School performance scores are primarily determined by two standardized tests – the LEAP-21 Test, which accounts for 60 percent of the score, and the Iowa Tests for Basic Skills, which makes up 30 percent of the score. Attendance and drop-out rates make up the remaining 10 percent of the score.

“We are pleased with the sustained progress that most of our schools are showing, and we will continue to push those schools to move forward. Our goal is that all our schools sustain a steady rate of academic growth,” Superintendent Michael Coburn said.

“For the schools that did not improve their scores this year, we have already made key changes at those schools that we believe will directly impact their scores for this coming year. We are closely monitoring their programs and working diligently with their classroom teachers to utilize the most effective teaching techniques,” Coburn added.

Coburn announced the growth school performance scores at the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board meeting Thursday (Nov. 3) night.

Those schools with improved performance scores include Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet, up 14.2 points; John L. Ory Magnet, up 7.9 points; West St. John Elementary, up 5.7 points; West St. John High, up 3.0 points; Glade School (now Lake Pontchartrain Elementary), up 1.6 points; Fifth Ward Elementary, up 0.9 points; and East St. John High School, up 0.3 points.

John L. Ory Magnet improved to a growth school performance score of 126.8 points, earning the state’s distinguished four-star rating. The school also qualified as a school of Exemplary Academic Growth, making it eligible for the state’s top cash reward.

Garyville/Mt. Airy Magnet, which received a score of 77.0, also qualified as a school of Exemplary Academic Growth, while West St. John Elementary, with a score of 72.2, is eligible for cash awards as a school of Recognized Academic Growth

Other scores include LaPlace Elementary at 93.3 points, Fifth Ward Elementary at 68.4, East St. John High School at 64.7, East St. John Elementary at 63.7, West St. John High at 63.1 points and Glade School (now Lake Pontchartrain Elementary) at 58.7.

Only the scores for LaPlace Elementary and East St. John Elementary declined from last year’s baseline scores. And despite its improved scores, Glade School (now Lake Pontchartrain Elementary) remains listed as School Improvement II school because it did not attain the state’s new required minimum score of 60 points.

The Louisiana Department of Education releases the growth school performance scores for each public school in the state each year.