Principal: Most Families Stick by Avery

More than 95 percent of students chose to stick to their neighborhood roots and stay at the principal Clare Sullivan said Thursday.

The principal of the school, which had to offer school choice after not meeting state standards for the second consecutive year in math, said eight families chose to pull their kids and send them to another Dedham elementary school.

"Generally, the parents that chose to move are ones that haven't been here," Sullivan said.

Teachers were notified at the same time as parents two weeks ago, and Sullivan said their reaction continues to be a positive one as they look forward to meeting the state's goals for the upcoming school year.

Since Avery has 51 percent of students that qualify for free or reduced lunch, according to Sullivan, then it qualifies as a Title I school. The designation means the school must offer school choice in the second year it doesn't meet NCLB standards in a subject.

Many parents at two meetings last week spoke well of the neighborhood school, and not one of the half dozen interviewed last week said they would pull their child. Some hadn't made a choice, but no one had made a definitive decision.

"I'm happy because I truly believe we are giving children a good education here. I truly believe the parents thought we were," Sullivan said. "I'm pleased that the parents who've experienced the education here and know how wonderful the teachers are chose to stay."

Sullivan, who went on her only week of vacation last week, said many parents e-mailed and left voice messages explaining that their students would remain at Avery.

"It was unfortunate that I was away when the meetings were held," the principal said.

With the standard increasing, and what Sullivan called a "moving target," Avery teachers and students will have to work to make up the difference in this coming year to get out of the "needs improvement" NCLB status.

"Educators have known for a long time that as we get closer to 2014 more and more school systems are going to be in that category," Sullivan said, referring to NCLB guidelines that say all students should be proficient in math and English by 2014.

Superintendent June Doe told Avery parents at last week's school committee meeting that they would see an increase in communication about their child's performance.

Beyond four-week progress reports, Sullivan said the school would reach out in many different ways.

"The more parent communication and parent involvement you have, the better the student does," Sullivan said.