Best district
Grosse Ile stresses test scores
Downriver district credits its top ranking to more effort, better results on state exams
By Jodi Upton / The Detroit News
GROSSE ILE — Supt. Peter Dion says there’s a pretty clear reason why Grosse Ile jumped from a B+ to an A+ on his year’s Detroit News School Report Card, beating out top-ranked schools such as Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills: a concentrated effort to improve state test scores.
“We’re focusing the curriculum on things that are reported out,” Dion said.
“That’s what sells school districts and most important, points to the quality of the school district. We’ve been hoping that pays dividends.”
Grosse Ile graduate Anthony Funaro, now a sophomore at Western Michigan University, recalls his teachers and classmates concentrated on writing good essays in preparation for the Michigan Educational Assessment Test.
“They really did focus a lot on that,” said Funaro, a vocal music major.
“But I think I was well-prepared for college.”
Focusing on test scores boosted Grosse Ile’s overall grade in two ways: The higher scores made the district more competitive with districts at the top of last year’s report card, and Grosse Ile got points for improving on seven out of eight elementary MEAP tests.
Last year’s top-rated district, Birmingham, did not improve any of its MEAP scores between 1998 and 2000. That accounted for its drop to number eight this year. Nonetheless, Birmingham is still considered one of Metro Detroit’s best districts.
In addition to its strong state test scores, the report card recognizes Grosse Ile’s low drop-out rate; a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1; and a higher-than-average score on the ACT college admission test.
The district earned additional credit because all four of its schools are accredited by the North Central Association, which examines long term plans, teacher credentials and other items. The association has rigorous standards, and some districts choose not to apply for its approval.
Last year’s “A” districts remain at the top of the 2000-01 Report Card: Avondale, Bloomfield Hills, Farmington, Novi, Troy, West Bloomfield and Grosse Pointe. This year, they’re joined by Grosse Ile, Clarkston and Northville.
Competition is getting tougher at the top of the report card, primarily because it’s harder for schools to continue improving already good test scores.
For example, seven of the eight “A” districts in 1999-2000 report card had improved at least 75 percent of their elementary MEAP scores over the previous three years. This year, only half of the “A” districts could make that claim.
In Grosse Ile, superintendent Dion said parent support and outstanding teachers are key to his district’s success.
Graduate Funaro said all of his teachers were good, and the district’s small size — about 2,000 students — meant most instructors knew him well.
“Every teacher communicated really well, both on a student-teacher level and on a personal level,” he said.
“It’s a very close-knit community, and it’s nice to know your teachers live in the area. they weren’t driving in from the big city.”
Judy Diehl, whose son Cary is a senior, agrees. She remembers that his teacher visited with school work every day when Cary, as a first-grader, had an extended illness. He had the same counselor from sixth to 11th grades.
“And it’s not just two teachers. It’s the secretaries and the bus drivers and the administrators,” Diehl said.
“I could list every teacher he’s had and the way each has gone out of their way for him. It’s just been a very nurturing environment.”
