SHELTON — Two Shelton schools have earned state recognition for their high student achievement and notable academic growth.
The schools — Long Hill Elementary School and Sunnyside Elementary School — are on the list of 140 Connecticut schools designated as “Schools of Distinction” by the state Department of Education based on 2024-25 data.
For Sunnyside, this is its eighth consecutive year as a School of Distinction, while Long Hill earned this honor for the first time in about five years, school officials said.
“Earning School of Distinction recognition is a true testament to the leadership of our administrators, the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff and the strong connection with our community,” Superintendent Ken Saranich said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud of these schools and grateful for their commitment to being shining examples of the Shelton Public School district.”
Connecticut schools earn the honor based on their scores in the Next Generation Accountability System, which assess schools based on 12 indicators, including physical fitness, arts, academic achievement and chronic absenteeism. Out of 100, the statewide average Next Generation Accountability System 2024-25 index was a 71.8, according to state data.
To be considered a School of Distinction, a school must indicate, through its score, that it had high performance, significant academic growth or meaningful improvement for the year.
Sunnyside, for example, had high performance and high growth in English language arts across its entire student body and high growth among its high needs student population in both English and math. According to the state, high needs students include English language learners, those with a disability and students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
Out of 100, Sunnyside’s Next Generation Accountability System index for 2024-25 was an 84.4. Principal Darla Franklin attests the school’s success to its teaching methods, which include working with students in small groups. The school also hosts weekly data team meetings to help with “bridging achievement gaps,” she said.
“Teachers look to their data to inform their small group instruction,” said Amy Corris, reading consultant. “We are constantly looking for ways to engage students and adjust learning tasks to meet the needs of our students.”
Long Hill earned the title of School of Distinction by indicating it had high performance and high growth in English and math across its entire student body and high growth in English and math throughout its high needs population. Its Next Generation Accountability System index was a 91.5.
“I’m extremely proud of our students and our staff and just was excited to be recognized for the accomplishment,” Principal Andrea D’Aiuto said.
Along with preparing students academically, D’Aiuto said Long Hill staff also prioritizes building student confidence through different activities and boosting morale leading up to state testing.
But D’Aiuto said the success is primarily thanks to the Long Hill staff.
“It’s a whole school effort. It doesn’t matter what position you have here, you had an impact of how those kids did and performed because we made sure that every kid was touched or impacted by several adults in the building,” she said.
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