U.S. News & World Report recognizes Almont school
ALMONT — Almont’s Orchard Primary School (OPS) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of Michigan’s best elementary schools in 2021.
Almont Schools’ Supt. Dr. William Kalmar delivered the good news to teachers, staff and the community on Thursday, Oct. 21.
“We are excited to announce that Orchard Primary has been recognized as one of the best elementary schools in Michigan for 2021,” Dr. Kalmar said.
He added that U.S. News & World Report has been rating high schools for years, and that Almont High School has also been recognized in 2021.
Kalmar explained that Orchard Primary was required to meet specific criteria, based on students’ proficiencies in mathematics and reading as measured by state assessment tests.
He added that 50% of a school’s ranking is determined by its test scores and the other half by “socioeconomic demographics.”
“In other words,” said Kalmar, “the top-ranked schools are those which are high-achieving and able to succeed in educating all students.”
Second grade teacher Ms. Clark and her students show their school pride during Homecoming festivities this year.
Orchard Primary Principal Jamie Miller expressed appreciation for the school’s recognition and great pride in her staff.
“The faculty at Orchard Primary truly is phenomenal,” Miller said. “They often go the extra mile to ensure students are successful inside and outside of the classroom.
“They are dedicated and devoted to student learning,” she continued. “The faculty balances high expectations with fostering supportive and caring relationships with students.”
Miller also credited parents and the community for sharing in the process of educating children.
“We are very fortunate to have extraordinary community support and involvement,” said Miller. “Our staff at Orchard Primary is thrilled to have received such a top honor.”
All data for the U.S. News & World Report rankings are provided by third-party sources, including the U.S. Department of Education.
In Michigan, more than 3,500 elementary schools were analyzed using the aforementioned specific criteria, with Almont Orchard Primary being ranked 152nd in the state.
More information on this and other awards can be found at: https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/michigan/orchard-primary-school-227514
U.S. News & World Report is an American media company that publishes news, opinion, consumer advice, rankings and analysis.
It was launched in 1948 as part of a merger between the domestic-focused weekly newspaper U.S. News and international-focused weekly magazine World Report.
