Clinton Schools reflect on how it acheived state recognition
Clinton City Schools just wrapped up its first school year after winning a key distinction and ready to win it again.
The school system won the “exemplary” designation for the 2023-2024 school year, one of just nine school system do so. Also, all three individual Clinton City Schools -- Clinton Elementary, North Clinton Elementary, and South Clinton Elementary -- received Reward School status, which is the highest honor given by the state Department of Education, based on federal accountability. This year, 377 schools across the state got the distinction, which refers to high levels of performance or improvement across the indicator categories. The results aren’t back yet for the current year, however.
This is the first time that all Clinton elementary schools have been named Reward Schools and the district has been Exemplary District in the same year. However, Clinton Elementary School principal Jenna Sharp pointed out that her school had received the reward school designation several years in a row.
“This is not an easy bar to reach,” said Director of Schools Kelly Johnson.
Clinton Elementary School Principal Jenna Sharp said to achieve the Reward School status, students in grades two through six had to earn a certain level of a proficiency score on the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, which is the end of the year test that the students take to measure the student learning that takes place from one year to the next.
“I feel that the key to our success is to love our students first. Building relationships with our students creates a positive, safe learning environment where kids feel comfortable to be challenged,” she said, also listing consistently analyzing data, the use of high-quality instructional materials, and intentional planning, feedback, and reflection as keys to success. “Additionally, the abundance of support we receive from our parents and stakeholders is evident in how well our school performs on a daily basis. Our definition of success is to develop well-rounded students who learn to persevere, grow and achieve. We have the advantage of keeping our students through 6th grade, which propels students to be learners and leaders alike. All staff members at CES have an equally important role in helping our students achieve their goals and dreams.”
North Clinton Elementary School principal Monca Rael similarly shared pride in her school.
“NCES consistently works and plans for students to be lifelong learners. It was well deserved for all faculty and students,” she said. She said the school’s real goal was to be the model of lifelong learning and growing, not to look for a Reward status. However, the school still appreciated the award. “We have focused on student ownership of their learning, and we know that we are the ones responsible for planning for that ownership to happen. Teachers are utilizing research-based strategies and reflecting on how they can continue to move student learning forward.”
She described the school as a supportive family with faculty supporting each other and the students in a way that others recognize.
“We are the epitome of a small community school. We are a real community inside the building as well. NCES is the smallest school in the district, and many of our students don’t always have opportunities like their peers. Our goal is to ensure that no starting point in life dictates their future,” she said.
