Weaver Elementary at the Top in Orange County

At the Los Alamitos Unified School District’s school board meeting Tuesday night, Principal Erin Kominsky of Weaver Elementary proudly announced the good news: According to state exams, Weaver Elementary is the highest-performing elementary school in Orange County.

“We’re very, very excited and proud of the effort of our students and teachers,” Kominsky said.

As part of her presentation, Kominsky discussed how she and her teachers were able to achieve such success, attributing it to differentiation of instruction, staff development and constant “professional dialogue.”

“We teach purposefully every single day; it’s at the forefront of what we are and who we are at Weaver in terms of student instruction,” Kominsky said. “There are great things ahead of us, and we’re excited to be there doing great things with children.”

Among last year's highlights, Kominsky added, was the fact that 80 Weaver students had perfect math scores.

“I had to look at it three times to make sure it was true,” she said.

Board President Karen Russell and other board members congratulated Kominsky.

“What you’re doing at Weaver is wonderful, and it’s a huge gift for students,” said board clerk Meg Cutuli.

Mark Johnson, assistant superintendent of educational services, and  Brent Forsee, director of assessment, presented the district’s academic performance index (API) scores. In nine years, the district’s score rose 103 points and is now at 912. Last year, the district gained eight points.

“For a district that’s already over 900, that’s impressive,” Forsee said.

Johnson acknowledged the efforts of teachers and staff and said he understands that such success does not “happen by chance.”

However, Johnson said he believes there is still work to be done.

In Other School District News

Kaylin Tanseco, a senior at Los Alamitos High School, said that the school year is off to a “smooth start” and that she and her fellow students are looking forward to fall sports.

The board approved replacing five diesel buses with five new compressed-natural-gas buses. According to the district, the cost will only be 9 cents on the dollar.

The district accepted $7, 699.51 in donations; the year-to-date total is $120, 571.28.