The Webster School in Everett is being awarded one of two Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA) Distinguished School awards for the state of Massachusetts this year. Their principal, Christopher Barrett, a Lynnfield resident, is excited for what it shows about the work he and his team have done.
The ESEA Network is a national organization supporting elementary and secondary schools. Each year, they recognize two schools from each state from among nominations from that state’s education department controlling elementary and secondary schools.
ESEA Distinguished Schools are named by that state organization if they are excelling among their peers and fit certain qualifications, including schools with a 35% poverty rate among the population they serve, that have demonstrated high academic achievement (or significant academic growth), and have met or exceeded state-specific accountability criteria. They must also be federally funded by one or more ESEA programs to be included.
These awards are split into three categories. Category one exemplifies schools exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth; category two is made up of schools that have closed the achievement gap between student groups; category three is for schools that show excellence in serving special populations of students (and maintain the required qualifications).
Webster School was awarded the category three award, specifically because Everett has a large English as a Second Language population amongst its students. It became distinguished by emphasizing “differentiated instruction, paired with the use of high-quality instructional materials and the individualized support every student needs to succeed,” according to Barrett. The school implemented programs that ensure students can access grade level content regardless of their English proficiency, and that made the difference.
Barrett recognized the leadership of his district in a statement about receiving this honor, saying, “I want to sincerely thank Superintendent of Schools Bill Hart for his leadership and for providing us with the tools, resources, and encouragement needed to help all of our kids succeed. Without his unwavering support, none of this would be possible. This prestigious national recognition of excellence is the direct result of a school community that truly believes every single student can reach their full potential in and out of the classroom.”
Barrett added, “Our extraordinary results on standardized tests and the exceptional gains we achieved were direct outcomes of providing every student with access to rigorous, grade-level content.”
