Sublimity Eagles soaring after scoring | News – The Sentinel-Echo

Teamwork.

That is the expression used by the staff at Sublimity Elementary to describe their success with this year’s test scores that placed the school as the top scoring elementary school in the state.

Sublimity took the top spot with a score of 123.4 of 125 possible points.

That achievement has been a long-time goal for the staff and students, as Sublimity has consistently risen in its ranking on the statewide level, coming from 37th in the state to the 5th spot in 2021-2022. Reaching the #1 spot this year is a monumental step for the school – as well as setting school and district history.

On Friday, the school held a special field day to celebrate the historic achievement with several events to commemorate the success.

The teachers were ecstatic with the student achievement, crediting the unity of all teachers of all grade levels for consistency in their teaching strategies.

“This is the result of us pushing ourselves,” said Jennifer Lawson, a 4th/5th grade reading teacher. “Our motto is ‘Every student, every day’ and we do that by character development and perseverance.”

The teachers — Christy Greer, 3rd through 5th grade teacher, McKenzie Rader, 3rd grade math, Cortney Rezmer, 3rd grade reading, Callie Montgomery, 4th/5th grade writing and Sarah Moody, 4th grade science and 5th grade social studies teacher, and Megan Nelson, 4th/5th grade math teacher — along with Principal Melissa Farris, said teachers from Kindergarten through 5th grade all strategize together to “make sure we’re all on the same page.”

Farris has taught at Sublimity for 21 years and is in her first year as Principal. She and the other teachers credit former Principal Kristina Thomas for the motto the school utilizes as the key to success.

“We continue her motto of ‘Every Student, Every Day’ and make sure we all row the boat together,” Farris said.

The comprehensive concern for all students is universal for the Sublimity teachers. They adjust their resources to new standards and constantly look at data to see where improvement is needed.

But success is more than just test scores, the teachers explained. Instead, they focus on the individual student and their individual needs and stress character development in the process. They also refer to Education Renaissance, which looks into the past to find success in the future.

“We identify with four areas: Academic Excellence, 110% Effort, Growth and Improvement and Character Improvement,” said Moody.

“The kids respect us,” Greer said. “They work just as hard as we do. They want to please us.”

With the mascot of Eagle, the school stresses the importance of achievement. The staff and students go “above and beyond” and sets high expectations for both students and staff.

“Eagles don’t just fly — they soar,” Rezmer added.

Recognition and rewards is another facet of the achievement status at the school. Every Friday, students have the “Eagle Strut” down the hallway of the school while other students cheer them on. Every gain, whether large or small, is recognized and that establishes pride and trust among the students.

But Friday’s Field Day wasn’t the end of the celebration.

November 21 will mark the day when all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will receive medals in a special ceremony. Each year, the students can earn a field trip to Malibu Jack’s and earn points for the Spring Field Day.

“We reward in every area,” Lawson said. “The staff has the mindset to help every student and we give prizes. We have “Why You’re Awesome Wednesday” every week where the students are recognized.”

Eli Lawson is a 5th grade student who cherishes the experiences at his elementary school and hopes to maintain the top spot in the state test scores.

“We have to keep working as hard as we can to stay in this spot,” he said. “The teachers are our friends — they make me feel like I’m top notch.”

Lawson manages his studies along with extracurricular activities — his favorite subject is Social Studies and he is on the school’s basketball team, academic team and is an anchor on the school’s news programs. In those clips, he interviews faculty members and informs his fellow students on the happenings in the school.

Bella Dunton came to Sublimity as a 1st grader and has adjusted well to the atmosphere of the school.

“People are nice here,” she said. “It feels good to be here, especially the rewards.”

She epitomizes the character development component.

“If someone drops a paper, I pick it up for them,” she said. “I try to help people.”

Dunton has established herself in the school programs. She is in Gifted & Talented program, on the school basketball team and is involved in the school’s “Eagle News” programs. She is known as a hard worker to all her teachers and friends.

“I’m definitely tired,” she said. “We work hard but we play hard. I’m very excited about us being the number one school in the state.”