NBC29Charlottesville School Earns National Achievement Award

Charlottesville School Earns National Achievement Award

Jackson-Via Elementary is one of six schools in America to receive the Panasonic National School Change Award. Once considered under-performing, the Charlottesville school is now being praised for its achievement.

"My favorite thing has been the teachers and the principal, because all of them are really nice," said fourth-grade student Stefani Mitrovic.

Mitrovic is only one of hundreds of children who have grown and excelled because of the school's staff. "We do whatever it takes," said principal Elizabeth McCay.

Over the past five years, the percentage of students passing reading requirements has increased from 65 percent to 88 percent. In math, the numbers have gone from 73 percent to 86 percent.

"We had to learn a lot for that, and we got good scores, and that was really hard," said Mitrovic.

Attendance is also improving, and parents are more involved. "It's a very welcoming atmosphere for the families, and I think that's been a great change," said parent Beth Bullard.

Bullard, who's had children in the school system since the early '90s, has witnessed the transformation first-hand. "You can see it when you walk in, when they talk about Jackson-Via; there's a real sense of school pride."

It's the school pride that has students excited about showing up each morning. "My favorite thing about coming to school everyday is seeing my teachers and seeing my proud principal," said fourth-grader Varhati Mallory.

Jackson-Via will receive a $5,000 reward including Panasonic products. An awards ceremony will also take place at the school next month.

Reported by Jenn McDaniel
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