Welcome back to another exciting year at Centre Ridge Elementary. The staff looks forward to working with our families and our comunity to provide quality education to each of our children. The involvement of our students' parents is one of the many strengths of our school system. As some of you may have read in recent news articles, Centre Ridge did not meet the federally mandated Adequate Yearly Progress or AYP for this past year. This is due in large part to some of the subgroups within our general population not being as successful as we had hoped on the Standards of Learning tests. As a result, the whole school was labeled as not making AYP. The narrow definition for a school's success does not provide the public with an accurate assessment of the progress of our students in the school. The Centre Ridge population as a whole met the 71% passing rate for math and 73% rate for reading.

As you are well aware, Centre Ridge is a special place, one that reflects a rich cultural diversity, a commitment to high academic achievement, and an environment in which students are challenged to develop their limitless potential. The student population is a microcosm of the world, with 42 different languages spoken in its homes. As future citizens, all children should be so fortunate to learn with, and from, others who are different. Centre Ridge offers many opportunities for all students to be successful. All students receive high-quality, differentiated instruction in their classrooms and with a variety of specialists throughtout the year. Additionally, students needing additional assistance are provided after school remediation as well as homework assistance through volunteer community partners and programs. Within the school day, a specific period of time is set aside three to four days per week for targeted re-teaching, review or enrichment based upon each child's needs.

Our teachers, both veteran and new, have received training in the best instructional practices to use in their classrooms. As a result, such strategies as Interactive Notebooks, Guided Reading and Word Study used across all grade levels have been implemented. Further staff development during the current year will be embedded through the support of an Instructional Coach assigned to the staff to further explore techniques that can best meet the needs of children who have not yet been fully successful.

Centre Ridge's impact on children cannot be measured only by the limited progress of some children. Our mission is to challenge all students. Our success in stimulating all students to stretch themselves is clearly reflected the the pass/advanced rates of our SOL scores. 25% of our third graders passed the math test at the advanced level, 49% of our fourth graders passed the social studies test at the advanced level, 47% of our fifth graders passed the math test at the advanced level, and 30% of our sixth graders passed the reading test at the advanced level. Within the academic areas, pass proficient rates and pass advance rates both remain high. In an era of focusing on the whole child, Centre Ridge offers a wealth of programs that enhance students' life skills and citizenship as well. After school programs foster the fine arts and a sense of belonging and attachment through clubs such as art, dance and drama while critical thinking skills are enhanced through such programs as its Chess Club and Mad Science programs. A Positive Behavior Support program celebrates the daily successes of children while academic achievement recognition programs, peer buddies and citizenship recognition assemblies round out the celebration of the whole child at Centre Ridge.

Centre Ridge offers rich, rewarding and child centered programs as a community based school. Parents are encouraged to advocate for their children, to be active in the school and join its PTA. Working with teachers and administrators will ensure the quality educational experience that you desire for your children. Please know that the Centre Ridge staff is confident that your children will benefit from the excellent instruction and learning environment provided here. Should you have any questions, always feel free to communicate with us at any time.

Jim Baldwin
Principal
Centre Ridge Elementary
703-227-2600
James.Baldwin@fcps.edu