from Moira Downes, Milton Public Schools
A group of 53 students from Pierce Middle School assembled in the school library last week for a special luncheon in their honor. The students were being recognized for having achieved a “280” — or perfect score on one of their MCAS exams.
Results of the standardized tests — taken last spring — were recently released and the Pierce Middle School saw a huge increase in the number of students who attained a perfect score. Last year’s “280” Luncheon included 31 students.
Pierce Middle School principal James Jette was also pleased to announce that four students received a 280 in two subjects, and one student, James Eder, managed to achieve perfect scores in all three subject areas — Math, English Language Arts and Science.
“This is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Mr. Jette. “It shows the level of effort, concentration and mastery of the subject matter that Jamie put forth.
Members of the Pierce Middle School "280 Club." Eighth-graders are in the back row, seventh-graders are in the middle row, and sixth-graders are in the front two rows. Administrators: (on left) Principal James Jette, Vice Principal Anna McReynolds, and (far right) Assistant Principal Andrew Boles.
Jette also pointed out that nearly 300 students at Pierce obtained a Growth Percentile of 80 percent or higher, which means that they improved their scores from last year by a significant margin. Those students will be recognized at a later date.
Superintendent Mary Gormley, who attended the ceremony along with Assistant Superintendent John Phelan and Business Manager Matthew Gillis, congratulated each of the students at the luncheon.
“These scores don’t just happen,” said Ms. Gormley. “They reflect an enormous amount of hard work by you, your teachers, your parents and guardians, and the entire staff of the Milton Public Schools. You should be very, very proud.”
The following students received a 280 on their MCAS:
Grade Six: William LeClerc and Isaac Robinson received perfect scores in two subjects. Other 280s were achieved by: Shane Berry, Victoria Chen, Serena Chen, James Conley, Abigail Lang, Robert Dexter, Kelly Hines, Joshua Kackley, Edward Taugher, Mark Walsh, Jordan Bacci, Megan Bernardi, Genevieve Connelly, Heidi Freking, Timothy Karoff, Griffin McLaughlin, Hueninh Nguyen, Jeremie Carpenter, Eva Chow, Xavier Fischer, Paul Ruscito, Caroline McGillvray, Benjamin Scott.
Grade Seven: Julia Biagiotti, Edward Callahan, Michael Eberhardt, Delphine Jrolf, Elena Milwood, Aislinn O’Brien, Maggie O’Hanlon, Julianna Viola, Selin Yalcindag and Sampson Yuan.
Grade Eight: Simon Eder and Joshua Kery received perfect scores in two subjects. Oher 280s were achieved by: Emily Chow, Mary Corcoran, Emily Dsida, Danielle Dumais, Shannon Fitzgerald, Liam Halloran, Liam Hines, Hope Huban, John Lenane, Meaghan McDougall, Sarah Monderer, Michaela Olson, Daniel Stockbridge, Kalyani Twyman.
The following students also received a score of 280 while enrolled at Pierce, but have either moved on to Milton High or attend schools elsewhere: Brian Bauer, Kevin Conway, Albert Enyedy, William Hess, Miceala Keating, Olivia Keohane, Emma Predsosa, Hannah Shepard. Also, Andrew Hansbury, John Weiler, Colin Carroll, Chloe Debord, Joseph Gallagher, Madison Lipson, Devin Quinlin, Alexis Belash, Samantha Robinson and Dylan Steefel.