Published: May 14, 2008 12:31 am            

Thorntown celebrates Four-Star status

Western Boone Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Judi Hendrix officially recognized the accomplishment at this week’s school board meeting.

Thorntown — After two excruciatingly close misses in recent years, Thorntown Elementary is celebrating being named a Four-Star School.

Western Boone Community School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Judi Hendrix officially recognized the accomplishment at this week’s school board meeting. Hendrix presented Thorntown Principal Gary Lanpher and Assistant Principal Susan Ottinger with a Four-Star School banner to hang in the school’s entryway.

The banner joins two plaques acknowledging Thorntown’s Four-star status in 1991-92 and again in 1993-94. The school missed Four-Star designation by a fraction of a point in 2004-05 and again in 2005-06.

Less than 10 percent of all public schools become Four-Star Schools each year. The designation is based on math proficiencies and language arts scores, attendance and annual yearly progress under No Child Left Behind.

“This is the highest achievement you can have,” Hendrix said. “It’s an honor and it’s a goal for all of us. Everyone is close.”

Hendrix thanked Lanpher and Ottinger for their efforts.

In turn, Lanpher thanked the board, which he said gave the school what it needed to succeed.

“It’s a total effort on everyone’s part,” he said.

Granville Wells was close to earning the designation, too, missing it by just .2 of a point.

        

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