Results from the second-quarter interim assessment tests show ARISE Academy still falling below the state average, the Board of Trustees learned during its monthly meeting, Dec. 14.

According to a Data Dashboard sheet presented by Principal Andrew Shahan, third graders scored at the 44% level in English and reading and at 65% in math. Fourth graders fared similarly: 46% in English; 62% in math.

“We’re looking at various options to improve these scores including a four-hour Saturday school program for our third and fourth graders,” Shahan said. “We also think that extending the school day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. would provide students with more quality time at school.”

Shahan added that the school is doing better than last year. He said he believes by year’s end the school’s performance score can rise to “between 75 to 80.”

Board Chair Jen Walcott called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. with three board members in attendance and The Lens reporter the sole audience member.

Apart from the principal’s monthly report card, which took up the bulk of the meeting, the board announced that ARISE is on the list of a dozen Recovery School District schools slated to move from their current campuses.

The space now shared with Drew Elementary requires renovation in the next two years and so ARISE will need  temporary quarters while the work is under way.

“There are a couple of schools on the list that we could move into … but my primary concern is to find one close to our current location so we can keep our students,” Shahan said.

The 50-minute meeting ended with the board voting to authorize a holiday bonus to teachers. Shahan said the bonus will be based on student performance scores, up to a maximum of $500 for any one teacher.

The next board meeting is Jan. 18.