Schools

Montville Elementary Test Scores Rank Above State Average

Varsity athletic teams won about 59 percent of all games played in the 2011-12 school year.

Montville Township's elementary students have tested as well as, and in most cases better than, comparative districts and the state average according to information presented by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Casey Shorter during Tuesday's board of education meeting.

Shorter presented what Superintendent Dr. Paul Fried said is commonly referred to as the annual "school report card" to the public and board members. Data reflects the 2011-12 school year and includes information from test scores on the NJASK, ACT and SAT exams, as well as AP testing data and athletic achievements.

In his presentation, Shorter compared the district's test scores with others in its District Factor Group (DFG), or similar economic and cultural status, and the state averages. He first reviewed the district's scores on the language arts portion of the NJASK exam.

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"In Grade 3, we continue to outperform our counterparts in the language arts area," he said.

Fourth graders showed improvement over the past three years and while fifth graders saw a slight drop in test scores in 2012, scores were still higher than other districts in Montville's DFG. The same held true for sixth graders.

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However, seventh graders' test scores in Montville were significantly higher than others in the state and eighth graders also showed improvement. As for the math portion of the test, Shorter said "we continue to score high on the elementary levels."

Third and fourth graders' scores exceeded others' averages, fifth graders' scores were comparable and sixth grade math scores improved. Seventh graders' scores slightly declined and eighth grade scores remained consistent.

Eleventh grade scores in both math and language arts on the NJASK were significantly above the state average, Shorter said, and relatively constant with districts in Montville's DFG. The students also performed well on the ACT exam.

"Montville Township performed quite well in comparison with those groups," he said.

Shorter mentioned the achievements of AP students as well, explaining that the district had 23 AP Scholars, 18 AP Scholars With Honor, 49 AP Scholars With Distinction and 11 National AP Scholars, all of whom scored a 3 or higher on AP exams. Approximately 491 AP exams were given in 23 subjects, Shorter said. 

The students had not only academic accomplishments to be proud of, but athletic achievements as well. Shorter said the school district's varsity teams won 59 percent of all games played and had teams and players that advanced in state sectional championships.

After the presentation, Board President Dr. Karen Cortellino commended Shorter on gathering the information and the district's students and staff members for the accomplishments.

"You proved to us what we knew, that we have a great school district," she said.


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