Foreign Exchange Students

PHS is in need of 1 or 2 host families for foreign exchange students.  If you are interested please call Jeremy Wright at 685-9554 for more information. 

PHS Improves in all areas of the MME

MME Scores improved in all subject areas in comparison to last year with the exception of science which maintained a 72% passing rate.  On the MME reading test, scores increased from 67% to 72% level 1 and level 2 despite decreasing 2 percent state wide.  MME writing scores also increased from 48% in 2010 to 62% in 2011.  MME Math  scores improved 6% from 54% to 60% and MME Social Studies improved 3% to 88%.  Perhaps you  are aware of this good news based on the positive coverage we received from the Kalamazoo Gazette, naming us one of the top performing schools in the Southwest Michigan region.   See below for more information. 

Unfortunately, we did not make Annual Yearly Progress (AYP).  However, PHS made AYP in every area except for the economically disadvantaged sub-group requirement of percent tested. Beginning with the 2002-03 school year, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has required schools to show annual improvements in the academic achievement of the overall student population and of identified student subgroups within the general population, including economic background, race and ethnicity, limited English proficiency and special education.  In order to have a subgroup, the school must have at least 30 students in it.  In order to meet AYP, the school must meet the percentages set by the state across all subgroups.  In addition, 95% of all students must be tested.   Overall, PHS had 97% of the student population tested.  However, of the students that were not tested 4 were in the economically disadvantaged subgroup; therefore, it dropped our percent tested below the 95% threshold.  We did submit an appeal as one student was removed from testing for a reason outside of the control of the school but the appeal was denied. 

The students and teachers really worked hard this past year in order to improve test scores.  We will be working even harder to ensure that all students succeed at PHS.  We are looking forward to having an even better year in 2011-2012. 

Hanna Lewis is the Channel 3 Athlete of the week

http://www.wwmt.com/video/?videoId=1174675148001&lineupId=1155191568&play=now

Pinnacle Passwords

The Pinnacle Username and Passwords have been mailed to all parents. 

Please look for them in the mail.