PV’s recent AIMS test scores show improvement as our school jumps from the achievement level “Performing” to “Performing Plus,” barely missing “Highly Performing” by .02 points. PV’s overall score easily made the level “Performing,” but it was the “Z score” that placed PV into the “Performing Plus” category.



The “Z score,” a new addition to the system, is determined by the number of test takers that excel in each portion of the test. The point scale used to classify schools is derived from combining the school’s overall AIMS scores in all three areas (math, reading and writing) with this score.

Schools are then rated as Underperforming, Performing, Performing Plus, Highly Performing or Excelling. While the other four schools in our district hover around Excelling and Highly Performing, PV usually falls into the Performing range. This year, however, the school has improved.

Still, Principal Herkamp said that our school has much potential. She said that test-taking students can help raise PV’s rating by doing two things: taking the test seriously and retaking the test for a higher score. The second suggestion helps upperclassmen as well as the school because any student that excels in all three AIMS areas qualifies for a scholarship from the in-

Retakes for the AIMS are scheduled for next semester. Until then, Herkamp said that Guidance plans to talk to sophomore classes to impress upon them the seriousness of the test.



“Our goal for next year is to be at the excelling level,” said Herkamp.