Sen. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) made the following statement today praising area schools for earning ‘A’ grades in Indiana’s 2011-2012 school year performance review:

STATEHOUSE (Oct. 31, 2012) — “I congratulate the schools in our community that have gone above and beyond the norm to earn an ‘A’ grade. Many of these schools have greatly improved from previous years’ scores, thanks to extra effort from teachers, students, parents and administrators. It is my hope others will follow their example and continue to make Indiana’s education system an institution where students can thrive.”

The schools include:

• Churubusco Elementary School
• Coesse School
• Columbia City High School
• Manchester Elementary School
• Manchester Junior-Senior High School
• Northwest Elementary School
• Riverview School
• Southwood Elementary School
• Wabash High School

At today’s State Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett announced that more than 61 percent of Indiana’s schools received A or B letter grades for the 2011-2012 school year. Additionally, 207 schools received A’s for the first time. For more information about Indiana’s school accountability system, visit www.doe.in.gov/improvement/accountability/f-accountability.