The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education recognized three TCS schools Tuesday for being named in the Top 25 Legislative School Performance program by the state of Alabama.
Rock Quarry Elementary was named as a "top 25" school in Alabama. Southview and Woodland Forrest elementaries were also recognized in the "top 25 most improved" category. The initiative, established by state law, rewards schools for excellence or significant improvement in annual rankings.
The top 25 performing schools were selected based on academic success based on the state’s grading system for schools and school districts. The top 25 most improved schools were highlighted for their significant grade improvement.
Several schools in the Tuscaloosa City Schools saw significant progress on the state report card in 2024, but Southview and Woodland Forrest saw some of the biggest jumps in the state, both moving from "D" to "B." Southview Elementary moved from a 62 on the state report card in 2023 to an 81 in 2024. Woodland Forrest moved from a 68 in 2023 to an 83 in 2024.
Rock Quarry received a 99 in 2024.
"We are incredibly proud that three of our schools were recognized as part of this program," said Tuscaloosa Superintendent Mike Daria. "There is excellence occurring in all of our schools, but Rock Quarry, Southview and Woodland Forrest are all examples of high expectations for every student and how we are moving the needle of progress forward."
"One thing we have really tried to do at Rock Quarry is to be intentional about everything we do," said Laura Jockisch, principal of Rock Quarry Elementary. "We intentionally know all of our students, we intentionally work with all of our children, knowing our students' needs socially, emotionally and academically, and knowing the whole child."
One thing that has contributed to the successful culture at Rock Quarry is the PLC process, which has impacted the cohesive spirit at Rock Quarry, she added.
At Southview Elementary, it was clear a couple of years ago when testing data was low that something had to be done, Daria said Tuesday. But Southview Principal Ronika Amerson and her team committed themselves to reversing those low-test scores and doing everything they could to make real improvement at that school. And it worked-- Southview experienced some of the highest growth in scores out of any school in the state, moving from a D to a B in just one year on the state report card.
"We didn't make any excuses, and from that day forward we kept a close eye on every child in the school," Amerson told the board. "We met, let the students know where they were, where they had to go, and met with them every four weeks to ensure they succeeded."
Woodland Forrest Elementary was also recognized as a top 25 most improved school in the state. Teresa Bivens, principal of the school, told the board that it was an entire school effort, to ensure that real progress happened.
"We were not able to be where we are without our teachers, but it's also the (child nutrition program workers), the custodial staff, it's everyone that makes up the school. There is no one position in that school that is more important than another. We were making sure we were intentional and consistent, and looking at the data every four weeks."
The top 25 schools in each category are honored and provided a monetary award, totaling $250,000. Schools with the most improvement will receive larger sums.
"This is another sign that what we are doing is working and is a result of all of the hard work and effort being done by our teachers, students, administrators and families," Daria said.
The schools were recognized during a state board meeting in Montgomery last week.
