Hynes Elementary & Sci High Charter School receive honors

Two New Orleans charter schools received honors for outstanding academic leadership from the Orleans Parish School Board and Orleans Public Education Network.
 
The Orleans Parish School Board recognized Hynes Charter School’s Principal Michelle Douglas as the 2013-2014 Principal of the Year and Hynes Teachers Mary Mehrtens and Thomas Wright as 2014 School Teachers of the Year.
 
The Orleans Public Education Network recognized Hynes with an award for Elementary Achievement and “Sci High” (New Orleans Charter Science and Math High School) at their inaugural OPEN Public Education Awards with an award for Absolute Achievement. In order to be considered for an OPEN award, at least half of a school's students have to score at or above grade level in every subject and at every level, and the school has to beat the state average in a majority of grades.
 
“We are very grateful to be recognized by the Orleans Public Education Network,” said Sci High Co-Principal Chana Benenson. “Our students work very hard every time they come to school and we will continue to push them to achieve outstanding results.”

While recognizing Hynes Charter School, the OPSB noted that the school’s Performance Scores have increased annually under Principal Douglas and the school recently received an A grade for its 2013 score. Their school-wide baseline reading mastery level of 80 percent has also increased to 88 percent.
 
Middle School Teacher of the Year Dr. Wright teaches 7th grade mathematics, algebra, and reading. Elementary Teacher of the Year Mary Mehrtens teaches 4th grade mathematic. Both teachers have offered themselves as mentors to other educators in how to replicate their success in drastically improving student math assessment scores.
 
“It is an absolute honor for our school to have our leaders named as top officials in the school community,” said Hynes Principal Douglas. “All of our teachers and staff commit to providing the best learning environment for our students and we will continue to work hard in doing so.”