Bowie schools excel on state tests

Tulip Grove and Heather Hills both post 100 percent proficiency in specific categories

Brian Baudoin, who was appointed principal at Tulip Grove in 2007, said his school was only six students away from having a perfect score in the two tests. Baudoin said he is awaiting confirmation from the county that the school had the highest test scores in Prince George’s County’s history.

‘‘Tulip Grove is where children bloom,” said Baudoin, quoting the school’s motto. ‘‘Our test scores show that our children are blooming here at Tulip Grove.”

Baudoin said teachers’ high expectations and dedication to their students made the scores possible.

By working with each student at the individual comprehension level, whether remedial or advanced, Baudoin hopes to continue improving the test scores.

At Heather Hills Elementary School, fifth-graders also achieved 100 percent proficiency in reading.

‘‘[The scores] were all in the 90th percentile and above,” said Principal Patsy Hosch. ‘‘The biggest factor was identifying the youngsters who needed extra help.”

To help lagging students in math and reading, she said staff developed small group classes.

‘‘Most of the scores showed an improvement. We’re working hard to keep it that way,” Hosch said.

The average Bowie scores were well above the averages for the county as a whole. Across Prince George’s County, an average of 68 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 scored proficient or better in the assessments, compared to 84 percent of students scoring proficient or better at the Bowie area’s 10 elementary and two middle schools.

At Northview Elementary School, which opened in the fall of 2007, Principal Judith Bissett said she was pleased with the school’s first-year results.

‘‘We knew just from how the school came together this year we were doing well, but it’s so nice to have the test scores to confirm it,” Bissett said. ‘‘That’s what makes this coming year all the more exciting because we know our kids now.”

At Northview, 80.6 percent of students in grades 3 through 5 passed the math exam and 80.3 percent passed the reading exam.

Three other Bowie schools – Whitehall Elementary and Benjamin Tasker and Samuel Ogle middle schools, improved scores in all areas.

At Woodmore Elementary School, students made gains in every subject except fifth-grade math, where Principal Jill Walker said staff reductions resulted in larger class sizes and may have negatively impacted instruction.

With first year Principal Charles Eller Jr. at the helm at High Bridge Elementary School, third-grade students rebounded from a significant drop in 2007 scores, and fifth-graders continued to improve. However, the fourth grade saw a 15-percent drop in scores to 70.7 percent in math.