Last week, Myers Elementary School was selected as a 4-Star School by the State of Indiana for 2008-2009. This is a tremendous honor that we accept with a humble heart. Achieving 4-Star status is a challenge that requires excellent attendance and improvements on the ISTEP+ test. We credit this success to our commitment to three critical factors: student, teacher, and school. 
Student Factors
At Myers Elementary School we are committed to creating a safe and secure learning environment four our students. We do this by establishing positive relationships with them, by getting to know them, and simply by being there for them when they need us to be.
In addition to building a positive rapport with every student and a safe place to call “home”, we make learning meaningful and relevant. This tends to motivate and interest the students. We have high expectations of our students, and they know that achievement matters and their effort makes all the difference! We create an atmosphere of “success breeds success.” We emphasize to our kids that learning is their job, and we expect them to do their job every day to their very best ability!
Lastly, we devote a great deal of time making sure our students have the prior knowledge they need in order to be successful on the next skill, in the next grade, and throughout life. This is the most important student factor we focus on because without prior knowledge, students will struggle with any new learning.
Teacher Factors
At Myers Elementary we are on a relentless pursuit to do whatever we need to do to meet the needs of our kids. In order to continually meet the needs of our students, we talk about what we expect kids to learn, what we will do for our struggling students, and how we will challenge students who quickly get what we expect. These questions are critical for differentiating instruction and meeting the wide range of student needs. The staff is highly knowledgeable in their areas of specialty and share a passion for education.
In order to continually provide the best possible education for our kids, we are committed to growing as educators. Our staff is intentional about improving our current skill and knowledge base. This purposeful commitment to professional development extends beyond the classroom to our kitchen, custodial, office, related arts and support staff.
School Factors
At Myers Elementary we strive to reach lofty, yet attainable achievement goals as outlined by our corporation. We reach these achievement goals through the use of a curriculum map that clearly lists the skills we expect our students to be proficient in at each grade level. This curriculum guide clarifies and sets the high expectations Portage has for all of its students.
In addition to a clear set of expectations and goals, we embrace shared leadership as a staff. As principal of Myers, I know this 4-Star accomplishment would not have been attained if it weren’t for the input and involvement of the Myers’ staff and community! This achievement is, without a doubt, a team effort…or in our case at Myers…a family effort!
Myers is honored to be a 4-Star School, and we celebrate today! But as we celebrate, we continue to focus on the task at hand – positively educating the hearts and the minds of our students!
-Jeff King, principal at Myers Elementary School