Report Card Grade Ranks Whitnall Among Area's Best Districts

School districts across the state received their first-ever report cards from the Department of Public Instruction on Wednesday.

And there’s a good chance Whitnall’s ended up on Superintendent Lowell Holtz’s refrigerator yesterday afternoon.

Whitnall was one of 134 districts statewide that earned a score that “exceeds expectations,” according to DPI standards that measure student achievement, student growth, the ability to close gaps in reading and math achievement and postsecondary readiness.

Whitnall scored a 78.1 out of 100. Its score of 90.5 in postsecondary readiness significantly exceeds the state’s expectations, while scores of 81.7 in closing gaps and 75.7 in student achievement exceed expectations.

The district’s 64.5 score in student growth meets the state’s expectations.

“We have been blessed with an awesome teaching staff that not only met expectations for student achievement, but because of their commitment to our students, far exceeded my expectations," Holtz said.

“This is truly a school district where students achieve excellence."

Holtz added the high scores are also reflective of the work done by Anthony Brazouski, the district’s Executive Director of Student Achievement, who has spearheaded the district’s advances in professional learning communities and teacher-led professional development opportunities, as well as the School Board's commitment to those initiatives.

Three of Whitnall’s four schools - Edgerton Elementary (81.8), Whitnall High School (78.5) and Hales Corners Elementary (74.5) - exceed the state’s expectations, according to report cards handed out to individual schools Wednesday. Edgerton was just 1.2 points away from significantly exceeding expectations.

Whitnall Middle School (72.1) meets expectations.

In addition, the four-school district earned a better report card than many Whitnall is often compared to: Pewaukee (77.9), Franklin (77.3), New Berlin (77.1) and Greendale (76.0).

Other nearby districts Whitnall performed better than included Muskego (75.3), Oak Creek-Franklin (74.5), West Allis (71.1) and Greenfield (68.4).

Among the 15 Milwaukee Patch area districts, Whitnall ranked behind only Hamilton (83.0), Whitefish Bay (82.0), Elmbrook (81.6), Shorewood (79.2), Menomonee Falls (78.9) and Wauwatosa (78.6).