School Report Cards: How did Woodbridge schools perform?
Hands go up for an answer in Lisa Sivillo class at Avenel Street Elementary School 4 & 5. Staff photo: Augusto F. Menezes
WOODBRIDGE, NJ -- Township elementary students showed impressive results on state standardized tests last year, according to the annual state School Report Cards released today.
The third grade team helped students Avenel Street School 4 & 5 achieve some of the highest scores in the state. From left, front, are Janet Ginfrida and Joan Johnson. From left at back are Kim Derewsky, John Radzik, Lisa Sivillo, and Stephanie Klecan. Staff photo: Augusto F. Menezes
Woodbridge elementary school students accounted for five of the county's six best test results in 2010.
CLICK TO SEE HOW WOODBRIDGE COMPARED TO OTHER DISTRICTS: Woodbridge School Report Card 2010
At Lynn Crest Elementary School 22 in the Colonia section of the township, 97.3 percent of fifth-grade students scored advanced proficient on the ASK5 math test.
At the township's Avenel Street Elementary School 4 and 5, 93.8 percent of third-graders scored high marks on the ASK3 math test.
And at Ford Avenue Elementary School 14, more than 89 percent of third-graders aced the math test.
Lynn Crest Principal Scott Osborne said the school looks at each student's test results to determine the level of instruction a student might need.
Avenel Street Principal Dara Kurlander said her teachers and district supervisors and the superintendent pore over test results to fine-tune lesson plans and curriculum.
SEE HOW YOUR SCHOOL DID: Woodbridge School Report Card – 2010
Teacher John Radzik explains the rules of a math game to Larenzo Jackson. Staff photo: Augusto F. Menezes
Kevin, 
dpinkowitz, and 
Dora Ramos are discussing.
Dora Ramos 11:21 am on February 8, 2011 Permalink
Looking at these scores, you can see why the folks in Menlo Park Terrace were unhappy to have their middle schoolers rezoned to Fords Middle. There is no comparison; the numbers say it all. Thank goodness they go to JFK afterwards.
David Pinkowitz 12:24 am on February 9, 2011 Permalink
Woodbridge does a fine job on the state tests, which measure proficiency of the student body (i.e. the level one must reach to be at grade level). Although these results should be commended, one has to wonder whether the District should set its goals a bit higher. Passing the NJ ASK means the most to the student who starts the year near to or lower than proficiency. In that case, the school is pushing the student to exceed proficiency.
But the data presented in the Report Card linked to the article shows more than just the proficiency tests. It also shows SAT scores, which is designed to help colleges determine how well a student might do in college to help them make admissions decisions. There are 23 public high schools in the county excluding the county schools, which draw from all districts. Woodbridge’s three high schools rank 11, 14 and 17 out of those 23 in average SATs. Although Woodbridge has the eighth largest enrollment in the state, over at least the past three years, newspaper reports for National Merit Semifinalists do not show even one from the district.
The point I am making is that proficiency should be praised, but it is just as important to try to improve the performance of students at all levels. As I have seen from my daughter’s work over the past few years and based on the comments in this article, the school district spends an inordinate amount of time preparing for the test. This differs from the experience of some of my daughter’s friends in other school districts. I would suggest that while Woodbridge’s efforts paid off in the state testing, it may be hurting some of the students overall.
When people talk about the best school districts, the ones most often mentioned are the ones that perform the best at the top. Although Woodbridge might never reach the performance of the richest districts in the county, I believe that in this area, there is room for improvement. Let’s see the SAT average go up. Let’s have an occasional National Merit Semifinalist. In so doing, the reputation of the Woodbridge School District could only improve more.
Kevin 9:45 am on February 14, 2011 Permalink
No reason why they should do poorly on the NJASK test. That’s all they teach for the entire year, how to pass the test. Why not step up their teaching skills, teach the children so they are well rounded and educated, and the test will take care of itself.