When it comes to schools, many people believe high poverty equals low performance.
There is a correlation between test scores and a school’s socioeconomics. But some schools defy the odds and the labels. Conley Hills Elementary School in East Point is among them.
Principal Serena Lowe says there is no easily-replicated reason why her school exceeded both the state and Fulton County average on the recently released state College and Career Ready Performance Index. It takes a building-wide commitment to do whatever it takes to reach students and their families.
“Our approach is simple. We do what we need to help our students succeed,” she says. “Teaching and learning at Conley Hills is student-centered, needs-based, research-driven, and unapologetically HUMAN. We have taken intentional steps to get to know our community, our families and, most importantly, the needs of the students we serve. We believe in strong leadership, results-based teaching, and high expectations of staff, students and parents as well as stakeholders. We cultivate and promote a never-stop learning, never-stop growing, never-stop striving, and never-stop believing in our abilities as a school.”
To read more about what Conley Hills is doing to avoid being one of the struggling schools on the eligible list for state takeover, go to the AJC Get Schooled blog.
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