Schmitz Park Elementary gets double honors: Excellence, plus math

Two proud Schmitz Park Elementary parents forwarded this to us to share with you – word of double honors for their school, announced to them via e-mail from principal Gerrit Kischner:

Schmitz Park has been awarded the Washington Achievement Award from the State of Washington. In addition, we were one of just three elementary schools in the State to receive “special recognition” for math, one of just two Seattle Schools to receive special recognition in any subject area. This is an award that recognizes the tremendous efforts of our entire staff and our entire community. It recognizes achievement in a matrix of 10 categories over two school years, 2008 to 2010.

Here’s the full statewide awards list; note that Concord International Elementary School in South Park, which Seattle Public Schools considers to be in the West Seattle area, also won an award for overall excellence.

Christine February 18, 2011 (11:36 pm)

Thanks to Singapore Math!

J February 19, 2011 (8:28 am)

It’s too bad the school district don’t let other schools use Singapore Math.

Neighborly February 19, 2011 (2:16 pm)

The school district does let all schools use Singapore math, both only as a supplement. The horrid Everyday Math is the required core curriculum, which Schmitz Park got a waiver to opt out of (because of their already high test scores). Is there a correlation? Will they let us dump Everyday Math now?

traveler February 19, 2011 (4:56 pm)

Congratulations to the students, staff and parents of Schmitz Park. Singapore math is only one reason for the on-going excellance of this great school.

Kudos to all.

bobbie February 19, 2011 (6:23 pm)

Way to go Schmitz Park! In the old days, when my boys were students at Schmitz Park (they are in their early twenties now) The school motto was “Schmitz Park Kids – Smart as a Fox”. We had a wonderful experience at Schmitz – outstanding dedicated staff all accross the board!

Public School Advocate February 20, 2011 (10:07 am)

While it’s wonderful to see a West Seattle elementary school recognized for their outstanding overall student achievement, most recognizably in math, let’s also look at some other factors (besides Singapore Math) that make this school thrive:

1) Schmitz Park has the LOWEST student mobility percentage of any West Seattle elementary school at 3%. By comparison, West Seattle Elementary 29%, Highland Park 19%, Arbor Heights 13%.

2) Schmitz Park has the LOWEST Free & Reduced Lunch population of any West Seattle elementary school at 9%. Compared to other WS elementaries (sans Lafayette) that range from 28% on the low end (Pathfinder) to 80% on the high end (West Seattle Elementary).

3) Schmitz Park has the LOWEST special ed population of any West Seattle elementary school at 7%. Compared to other WS elementaries (sans Lafayette) that range from 13% (Concord) to 31% (Roxhill).

4) Schmitz Park has 0% ELL (English Language Learners) along with Lafayette. By comparison Arbor Heights 12%, Sanislo 17%, Roxhill, Highland Park & West Seattle all ~30%.

Until we have more socio-economically balanced schools across our community, there will continue to be a few lone shining stars amongst the eyes of our district and state where success is determined on how well students perform on standardized tests.

Love WS February 20, 2011 (11:37 am)

Congratulations Schmitz Park Staff we feel so lucky our children attended Schmitz Park. The math program is amazing it’s due to the dedicated staff that embraced it. But anyone can do Singapore math it is the number one home school curriculum you can buy it on-line or in learning stores. If you think Everyday Math is bad wait until you are introduced to Math Counts in Middle School it is just as bad.

98116 February 21, 2011 (12:42 pm)

Thank You Public School Advocate!!! I work in the highest poverty school with highest ELL population and mobility in King County. The bottom line… your zip code will determine your test scores!! I am an experienced teacher who chooses to work in what the state calls “failing schools”. It’s hard and VERY stressful because everthing we do we get “What are your scores telling you?”. Working at high income schools is a piece of cake… Try starting your day off taping a child’s shoe with duck tape.

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