“As the Maine (Department of Education) continues to raise expectations for all students, these schools provide an example of the excellence that results where there is a shared commitment to effective, learner-centered instruction; great teachers and leaders; and multiple pathways for learner achievement,” the department said in a press release.
The majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at nearly two-thirds of the reward schools, according to the press release.
This statistic proves that “all students are capable of achieving academic success when schools put in place the appropriate supports and strategies to help them overcome challenges,” the department said.
At Dresden Elementary and Edgecomb Eddy, 57 and 45.2 percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, respectively.
Dresden Elementary School serves pre-kindergarten through grade five. Edgecomb Eddy serves kindergarten through grade six.
To become a High Performance Reward School, schools must meet all annual targets and perform within the top 15 percent of Title I schools – schools that receive federal funds because they have high percentages of children from low-income families.
Edgecomb Eddy officials addressed the school’s selection during an Edgecomb School Committee meeting Monday, April 27.
“We are incredibly proud but not surprised,” Rocky Channels School System Superintendent Eileen King said. “We have an incredibly dedicated staff and we are definitely a team here.”
Edgecomb Eddy School Principal Lisa Clark also weighed in.
“Everyone here works incredibly hard and we continue to be successful,” Clark said. “We’re very happy to be recognized for that.”
(Abigail W. Adams contributed reporting to this article.)