The Eureka Springs School District presented its annual Report to the Public Oct. 20, where faculty from all three schools and Superintendent Bryan Pruitt participated.
Randy Stainer, 8th grade English and Social Studies teacher, and Nancy Stainer, high school math teacher, reported on district test scores, saying the state presented students with three different standardized tests in three years, so results for a particular grade cannot be compared to previous years as a gauge for performance. Instead, he compared test scores with nearby districts, and Eureka Springs consistently ranked among the top five along with Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers and Gravette. He said out of 255 districts in the state, Eureka Springs was ranked in the top 25 percent.
On the ACT, Stainer said Eureka Springs juniors ranked in the top 20 percent compared to the rest of the state even though the district tested all juniors, which is not the case for all districts.
Elementary School Principal Clare Lesieur and Chrys McClung, instructional facilitator, gave the elementary school report, noting there are 270 students in kindergarten through fourth grade. “Our goal is to educate the whole child,” Lesieur said, and to accomplish that they partner with parents and the community.
Even at the elementary level, there is an emphasis on science and math according to McClung. Digital literacy begins in kindergarten with students using a keyboard as they learn spelling. There are also online games for learning math.
Lesieur commented they emphasize nutritional support and activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. Students also get out of town on field trips to Crystal Bridges and events at the Walton Arts Center. There are interventions for students who need extra help, as well as a program for gifted students.
Middle School Principal Cindy Holt stated there are 177 students in grades 5 – 8, and many of the same activities from elementary carry on through middle school. Emphasis is making sure the students know their work is valued. Her student council conducted a fundraiser for the Leukemia Foundation, and 7th graders will go on an overnight trip to the Ozark Natural Science Center.
For the high school, Principal Kathy Lavender noted she offers Advanced Placement courses in language, literature, calculus, physics and United States history. Students can also take AP courses in biology and statistics through the Arkansas School for Math, Science and the Arts (ASMSA) in Hot Springs.
She also said there are students taking college courses in algebra, speech and composition through Arkansas Tech University. Distance Learning through Virtual Arkansas and ASMSA allow more choices for electives, and she said 90 students are enrolled in 23 different courses through Distance Learning. This year for the first time, a team from the computer programming class will compete in a state-wide coding competition.
Lavender reported that 77 percent of last year’s graduating class are in post-secondary education, five percent are in the military and 18 percent are in the workforce.
Pruitt reported that district attendance rate stands at 94 percent. New projects on the horizon include a grant for a greenhouse, air-conditioning for the middle school gym and the trades building, a new sign at Hwy. 23 and Greenwood Hollow Rd., and new security cameras for the campus. He said he is part of a multi-jurisdiction hazard mitigation plan working to procure a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a “safe room” which, during an emergency, could accommodate up to 600 students. It would also be available for the community when school is not in session.