Red Lake-Madsen Public School has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a perfect score of 10 in the Fraser Institute’s recent evaluation of Ontario elementary schools. This accolade marks the highest score in Northwestern Ontario, underscoring the school’s commitment to educational excellence. The score is based on the results of the provincial Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) testing, which assesses Grade 3 and Grade 6 students in reading, writing, and mathematics.
According to Christy Radbourne, the education director at the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, the success of Red Lake-Madsen can be attributed to a series of strategic changes in teaching practices. “We do account for Red Lake’s success — and all of our other schools’ successes — to just some practice changes we’ve done and our focus on literacy,” Radbourne stated. This implementation has resulted in increased EQAO scores across the board.
Focus on Literacy and Mathematics
Radbourne elaborated on the specific methodologies that contributed to the school’s success, emphasizing the board’s commitment to the “science of reading” and the “science of mathematics.” These approaches focus on evidence-based practices that have demonstrable positive effects on student outcomes. “We’re thrilled for Red Lake-Madsen to get an honourable mention, but we do know that it reflects our strong commitment to reading, writing, and math,” she added.
One key element of the teaching strategy involves imparting “decoding skills” for reading. Radbourne explained how understanding word morphology plays a crucial role in this process. “Morphology is when you start breaking down words into component parts that add meaning,” she noted. For instance, the transformation from the word “tired” to “tiredness” illustrates how suffixes can alter a word’s meaning. Such strategies are designed to help children develop a deeper comprehension of reading by breaking words into “meaningful chunks.”
This commitment to enhancing literacy extends to mathematics as well, with similar dedicated practices that aim to foster a strong foundational understanding among students. “Our real commitment to ensuring that all children are learning is where we got started,” Radbourne said, highlighting the board’s focus on improving educational outcomes through structured methodologies.
Regional Context and Comparisons
Following Red Lake-Madsen, another school within the KPDSB, New Prospect Public School in Dryden, achieved a commendable score of 7.5, securing the second position in the region. This ranking further illustrates the board’s overall success in elevating educational standards across its schools.
As the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board continues to implement these evidence-based practices, the educational landscape in Northwestern Ontario seems poised for further improvements. The success of Red Lake-Madsen serves as a beacon for other institutions aiming to enhance their student outcomes and overall performance in provincial assessments.
In conclusion, the perfect score achieved by Red Lake-Madsen Public School reflects a dedicated approach to education that prioritizes literacy and mathematics through innovative teaching practices. The recognition from the Fraser Institute not only celebrates the achievements of this school but also highlights the broader commitment of the KPDSB to foster academic excellence among its students.
