Normal Park Makes Straight-A’s!

by CP

“Straight A’s are definitely worth celebrating.”  Jill Levine, principal

The Normal Park Museum Magnet School received a rare double honor on the Tennessee State Report Card.  Students, teachers, dignitaries and families celebrated with student-made signs, a marching band pep rally and a message to students that hard work does pay off.

Each year students in grades 3 through 8th take the TCAP’s, (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) and schools receive ratings in subject areas and in Achievement and Value Added categories.  Normal Park was the only school in Hamilton County to achieve straight-A success in all categories and the energy and commitment to education was apparent in the celebration.

A marching band set the tone for an exciting celebration of academic achievement at the Normal Park Upper School.

Principal Jill Levine says “I think it’s a huge morale booster to know that teaching in a different way and a creative way can be effective.”  Normal Park fifth grader Rian Murphy’s smile illuminated her words on stage when she said “When you combine creative minds and art supplies, you get magic!”

Normal Park has been celebrated nationwide for its success as a magnet school and administrators credit the extraordinary achievement to the the partnerships between teachers, amazing students, parents who go above and beyond what’s expected of them and the museums of Chattanooga.

The museum magnet model allows teachers and students to “extend their learning beyond the four walls of a classroom and the front and back of a textbook” says principal Levine, surrounded by smiling students and proud teachers.  The Lightning band, cheerleaders and local dignitaries joined students who gave speeches celebrating their school.

Normal Park is a zoned magnet school that serves students from pre-K through 8th grade.  Visit www.hcde.org for more information about Hamilton County zoning and the magnet school lottery process.