NORWICH – As the school year begins to wind down, the Norwich City School District reports test scores are on the rise at the middle school and the stigma of being labeled a ‘School In Need of Improvement’ can begin to fade away.

Middle School Principal Lisa Schuchman presented the preliminary results of both the math and English Language Arts (ELA) state-mandated tests at the district’s Board of Education meeting last week.

After thanking the teachers who have worked to improve the school’s standing, Schuchman gave a glimpse into the percentages of students excelling. Seventy-four percent of seventh grade and 71 percent of eighth grade students scored in the top two levels on the ELAs.

Schuchman said she has devoted her efforts over the last three years as principal to improving test scores and helping teachers and students get on the right track. Until last year, when the middle school was removed from the list for math, the school had been classified as “In Need of Improvement” for both ELA and mathematics. Word was given that the school was in good standing for math this school year, however it remained on the list for English.

Schuchman spoke of “driving change,” along with trying new techniques inside the classrooms. Teachers, according to Schuchman, have been integrating the use of multiple intelligence learning, a process the principal says “has worked wonders” in many areas.