BY KAREN CAMPBELL
Weakley County Schools Communications Director
GREENFIELD (September 9) - For the second time since the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) created the designation in 2015, Greenfield School has earned Reward School status for its proficiency in core subjects like reading and math and student growth in academic achievement.
Weakley County Schools as a district achieved a Level 5 status, the highest score possible for student academic growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Weakley County’s growth was among the highest in the state.
In recognizing schools, the TDOE looks at state test scores, whether English language learners are meeting the state standard for proficiency, absenteeism, graduation rates and ACT test scores.
Greenfield School was previously recognized in 2018-19 which, due to the pandemic, is the last year the designations were given.
“Greenfield School is on a mission to provide each student with the opportunity to reach his or her maximum potential and to become a life-long learner in an ever-changing society. We certainly experienced change as we have dealt with the challenges of teaching and learning during a pandemic. Every person associated with Greenfield School should feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in not just surviving but thriving during this time,” noted Cupples of the more than 500 students and a faculty and staff totaling almost 70.
Cupples said the Reward School designation is a great motivator as the school has already launched a campaign for even higher achievement in the future. Each wing of the school is now equipped with wide screen televisions offering age-appropriate encouragement and summaries of current academic achievement.
“It’s hard to know if you are winning or losing without a scoreboard,” Cupples explained of the public presentations that include school grades’ test results and fun word games and math challenges for the students. “With these academic scoreboards and the collaboration that results as teachers and students team up to improve and address challenges, we believe we will see further increases in achievement.”
Jon Gardner, who leads data collection for the district, explained that while other Weakley County schools did not receive the Reward School designation this year, area students and faculty have much to celebrate.
“At the end of the 2020-21 academic year, we were applauded across the state as being one of the few districts that maintained in-person classes in a year filled with unknowns and health challenges,” said Weakley County Schools Director Randy Frazier. “The data now tells us what we intuitively knew – our children need to be in class and face-to-face with our teachers for the kind of growth we’ve seen to occur. We can celebrate this year’s achievements and look forward to future successes by all committing to being as safe as possible in 2021-22,” Frazier added.