The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test scores for 2006 were released yesterday, revealing Whittier as the most improved school in the state, according to the state Department of Education.
On the English portion of the exam, 55 percent of 10th-grade students scored proficient and advanced on the high stakes test, up from 41 percent last year. In mathematics it was 76 percent, up from 46 percent last year.
Failing scores were low, too - only 5 percent in English and 4 percent in mathematics. Statewide, 7 percent fail English and 12 percent fail mathematics. In order to receive a diploma, all public school students must pass. Superintendent Karen Sarkisian said just three years ago, 26 percent of her students passed the test on the first try.
"The staff and the students should be very proud of their hard work," said Sarkisian, calling the boost in scores since 2003 "dramatic."
The improvements can be credited, in part, to the school's testing laboratory, she said. Students have been tested on sample MCAS questions, the results scored by a computer. The machine determines the precise questions where each individual is weakest, and teachers and tutors work with the students on those problems.
Whittier draws students from Haverhill, Amesbury, Groveland, Ipswich, Merrimac, Newburyport, Newbury, Rowley, Salisbury and West Newbury.
Statewide, the biggest gains in the class of 2008 were made by nontraditional schools such as Whittier. Scores for black and Hispanic students also improved, closing the gap with their peers of other races. Black students improved 10 percentage points, and Hispanics improved 8 percent.
David Driscoll, the state education commissioner, said the numbers look good.
"For the first time, I can say with confidence that our achievement gap is beginning to close in our high schools," he said in a statement, "and all students are moving in the right direction."
Here is how other communities fared on the MCAS:
* Haverhill High School: Students saw gains with 90 percent passing English compared with 86 percent last year, and 79 percent passing mathematics compared with 63 percent last year.
"We're very proud," said Steven O'Brien, assistant superintendent of curriculum. He attributes the improved scores to a greater focus on mathematics in both the high and middle schools.
Haverhill High lost ground in at least one category - a significant dip in the advanced English scores. Just 6 percent reached the top level, compared with 14 percent of this year's seniors.
"We're looking at that," O'Brien said of an internal study about why that number fell.
* Andover High School: Again the top-scoring school in the area, 98 percent of its students passed English while 97 percent passed mathematics.
Its advanced scores were above the Bay State average with 21 percent in English (5 percent above the state average) and 68 percent in mathematics (28 percent above the state average).
* Greater Lawrence Technical High School: Improved with 85 percent of its students passing English and 63 percent passing mathematics. Last year, 24 percent failed English and 41 percent failed mathematics.
* Lawrence High School: Remains far above the state average for the number of failing students with 35 percent in English and 54 percent in mathematics, while the state averages are 10 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Last year, 32 percent failed English and 46 percent failed mathematics.
* Methuen High School: The number of students failing the MCAS is dropping, from 11 percent in English and 18 percent in mathematics last year to 7 percent and 17 percent this year, respectively.
The school is fairly close to the state averages across the board, except in the advanced categories. Just 9 percent are advanced in English compared with 16 percent statewide. In mathematics, 29 percent are advanced compared with 40 percent in the state.
* North Andover High School: Students certainly know how to compute numbers here.
Its advanced mathematics scores are far above the state average with 52 percent of 10th-graders scoring in the top category, compared with 40 percent statewide.
The advanced mathematics scores are a 7 percent boost from last year.
"We're really happy with the results," said Assistant Superintendent Dick Bergeron, who credits Diane Bassett, the high school math chief.
