Highland Avenue Lights Way to Excellence as 2012-2013 Torchbearer School | News

Montgomery, AL ─ They’ve done it again! Students, teachers and staff at Highland Avenue Elementary School were ecstatic to learn that for a fifth time, their school has been named an Alabama Torchbearer School.

Highland Avenue was among 20 Alabama public schools to earn the prestigious title. Torchbearer Schools are high-poverty public schools where exemplary leadership, high standards, parental involvement and student achievement overcome what can be barriers to student success.

Principal Pat Kornegay and her staff will be recognized by the state Department of Education at a special ceremony on February 19 at the Capitol City Club in Montgomery.

To be named a Torchbearer School, schools must have at least 80% poverty rate (percent free/reduced meals), have at least 80% of students score Level III or Level IV (highest levels of proficiency) on the reading and math sections of the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test.

This is the fifth time the school has achieved this milestone. Highland Avenue was named a Torchbearer School in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-2008 and 2011-2012. 

Kornegay said dedicated teachers, regularly accessing results, setting high goals and parental involvement are some of the keys to her school’s success.

“In order to be a successful you must have a sincere passion and love for teaching students. You have to use your data to analyze where you are and determine the direction you need to move in to meet children’s needs and increase student achievement,” she said.

“We work together as a team at Highland Avenue. We help each other because our students are the most important thing to us. I communicate to all my teachers what my goals and expectations are at the beginning of the year, and involve our parents in the learning process. I’m very proud of the work we are doing here at Highland Avenue and we’ll work together to do greater things in the future.”

MPS Superintendent Barbara Thompson said the school is proof that all students can succeed when given the right tools and a supportive learning environment that is reinforced at home.

“Highland Avenue is a great example of a school that has seen success by creating a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement,” said Superintendent Thompson. “The fact that they have received this recognition five times says a lot about the commitment to high academic achievement at Highland Avenue and dedication of its teachers, school administration, students and parents.”

“To be named a Torchbearer is a great honor. Mrs. Kornegay and her teachers, students and parents are to be commended for a job well done.”

Information Source: MPS