By Robby Robertson Staff Writer

High scores were more of the norm than the exception for area school districts.

According to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), two schools in the county scored Exemplary ratings during the 2008-2009 school year. The scores are based on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test scores.

Mabank and LaPoynor school districts scored at the top with Exemplary ratings. This is the highest level the TEA gives.

The TEA utilizes four ratings for school districts and campuses based on student achievement. They are Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable, and Academically Unacceptable.

“We are very excited about this,” LaPoynor ISD Superintendent Buddy Davis said. “The teachers and students here work very hard. Our motto this year is Mission Exemplary.”

LaPoynor High School and junior high were both rated Exemplary, while the elementary school was Acceptable.

Superintendent Dr. Russell Marshall of Mabank had plenty to brag about as well following the announcement. Mabank School District received an Exemplary rating.

“We started off the year shooting for Exemplary and putting support in place for our first-year principals and teachers,” Marshall said in a written statement. “ Our greatest strength is our willingness to work as a team. Achieving Exemplary status is not a one man show.”

In addition to state ranking, Mabank ISD also met national requirements for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) based on provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act.

Athens ISD was a Recognized District. Tough areas for the AISD are science and math at the upper level campuses, according to school officials. All three elementary level campuses, Bel Air, South Athens and Intermediate, were Recognized. The middle school and high school were Academically Acceptable.

Eustace was also a Recognized District, with two schools receiving Exemplary ratings for three years straight.

The primary and intermediate schools have remained in the Exemplary category. The high school was Recognized and the middle school Acceptable.

“We are very excited about our status this year,” EISD representative Laurie Boerner said. “Our kids work very hard and for the two campuses to be exemplary for three years says a lot about our teachers and staff.”

Brownsboro ISD also had some Exemplary schools in the lower levels. Both Chandler and Brownsboro elementary schools brought home the highest honor.

BISD Testing/Special Programs Coordinator Beth Parker said science scores was a tough test for the upper levels to handle as well.

“Science is a tough subject for a lot of our kids,” she said. “We want to work toward getting the other schools up with the elementary.”

Brownsboro’s high school and middle school scored in the Acceptable category. Chandler Intermediate was Acceptable and Brownsboro Intermediate was Recognized.

Cross Roads was a Recognized district. The elementary school was Exemplary, while the high school and junior high were recognized.

In Malakoff the district finished with an Acceptable rating. Tool Elementary was Exemplary, while the Malakoff Elementary and high school were Recognized. Malakoff Middle School finished with an Acceptable rating.