Woodmere Elementary School earns 'comeback campus' distinction for post-pandemic academic gains

Despite the one-two punch of the coronavirus pandemic and Hurricane Ida, Woodmere Elementary School in Harvey achieved what few other schools in Louisiana could over the last three years: improvements in its reading and math test scores. 

That distinction prompted the Louisiana Department of Education in December to recognize Woodmere as one of just 41 "comeback campuses" across the state.

From 2019 to 2022, the share of Woodmere students in grades 3-8 who scored "mastery" increased from 15% to 22% in reading and 7% to 10% in math. At the same time, the share of students who scored "unsatisfactory" on both exams fell.

Hymel, who took over as principal in October 2021, credited the school's gains, in part, to the dedication of her staff, which she said she handpicks for qualities like their ability to empathize with students.

To read the article on the Louisiana Department of Education page, click here