HOLCOMB EARNS TOP HONOR IN MISSOURI

Students at Nell Holcomb School learned Tuesday that their school officially ranks among the best in Missouri.

The school is the first in Southeast Missouri to receive accreditation with distinction honors for its performance in the state education department's accreditation process.

"You are the best of the best," Rice Pete Burns Jr., a member of the State Board of Education, told students Tuesday during an all-school assembly.

The honor took on added significance because in 1991 Nell Holcomb was only provisionally accredited. A review of the school's resources, teaching process and students' performance found the school wasn't up to par.

By 1997, Nell Holcomb became the only Missouri school district to jump from provisional accreditation to accreditation with distinction.

"Thank you," said Marilou Joyner, assistant commissioner of education. "We appreciate the hard work you have done."

Joyner presented student council members with a banner recognizing the honor.

Every five years, all Missouri school districts must undergo a Missouri School Improvement Plan review. Educators look at mounds of paperwork on items that range from class size and classroom space to test scores and graduation rates.

To receive the distinction award, a school district must meet all criteria for resources and performance and nine of 10 standards for process.

In 1997, 13 school districts statewide received the honor.

Richard Trout, area supervisor for the education department, oversees 59 school districts in 14 Southeast Missouri counties. Nell Holcomb is the only one in his district to receive the award.

Superintendent David Fuemmeler told students: "Our school is being recognized as one of the best schools in the whole state of Missouri. That's because we have the best staff, the best school board, the best community and the best students."

He explained that after the first review process committees got to work and developed an improvement plan. A school addition was built and class size was lowered to an average of 14 students per teacher.

Said Fuemmeler: "Our test scores went up. Our student performance is good. We made progress across the board."

While the school community took a moment to acknowledge the accomplishment, Fuemmeler said the job isn't done.

In another four or five years a new review will be made of the school.

"We can't just maintain. We have to continue to improve," he said.