Pearl B. Larsen Fifth Grader Gets Top Grades In National Testing

ST. CROIX — A Pearl B. Larsen fifth grade student scored the highest in standardized testing administered last year, according to the Department of Education.

Grace Porter was in the 99th percentile in reading and math in the VITAL-S standardized tests given at the end of the 2013-14 school year – the highest possible achievement on the exams, the DOE said.

“I feel excited,” Porter said. “I usually study a lot because I don’t like bad grades. They make me feel like I’m going to fail.”

Of the 3,600 St. Croix public school children tested in reading and math by the Education Department, 146 of them scored in the 80th percentile or higher.

Pearl B. Larsen Elementary 5th grader, Grace Porter.

The top performers were honored over the weekend as part of the 5th Annual Winona Sackey-Joshua Shining Stars Celebration at the St. Croix Educational Complex.

At the ceremony, Colleen Williams, the St. Croix Insular Superintendent of Schools, congratulated the students.

“Today is your day to pat yourself on the back,” Williams said. “Today is your day to be proud of your accomplishments. You stand out among all the students in the district of St. Croix as being Shining Stars.”

The group honored at the ceremony represented the top four percent of the district, according to Saul Santiago, the district director of data and assessment.

Porter’s parents Chuck and Danielle, said they were very proud of their daughter Grace and that she diligently goes straight to work on her homework as soon as she returns home from school.

All the students in attendance received a Shining Star trophy, pin and certificate of recognition. Grace Porter was awarded a new iPad for scoring highest on the exam.

Common Core Smarter Balance standardized tests will be given at the end of the current school year – the first time they are being used in the territory.