Manor MS earns third straight Distinguished School honor

For the third straight year, Manor Middle School has been named a Title I Distinguished School, one of only 96 of Pennsylvania’s more than 3,000 schools to achieve the honor.

Manor is among the top 5 percent of Title I schools in the state, based on progress made in the past year to narrow the achievement gap for all students and for students who traditionally underperform on standardized tests.

The number of Manor students scoring well on the PSSA reading and math and Keystone algebra tests improved overall from the previous year. The achievement gap also improved for “historically underperforming students” – special-education pupils, English language learners and economically disadvantaged students.

“The Manor staff connects with students and families in amazing and impressive ways to support student achievement and growth,” Principal Dana Edwards said. “Teachers are able to meet with students individually as needed and extend themselves beyond the school day for remediation and enrichment. They truly love kids.”

Edwards also praised Amy Niemkiewicz, the school’s Title I academic support teacher, for her efforts to help struggling students.

Schools are eligible for Title I status if they serve a large population of disadvantaged students. At Manor, about 49 percent of students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches, based on family incomes. Title I schools receive federal funding to help raise student achievement through instructional changes, counseling programs and efforts to increase parental involvement.

As a result of the award, members of the Manor Middle School staff have been invited to share information on their school’s best practices at the Title I Improving Schools’ Performance Conference January 30 to February 1 in Pittsburgh.

Kudos, Manor Middle, on your “three-peat”!