Melissa Bailey File Photo
Principal Moore.
New Haven’s schools superintendent submitted this article in the wake of recent articles about the principal of Wilbur Cross High School.
As school was about to start last year, Wilbur Cross High School faced a sudden and unforeseen crisis. The outside candidate that the district intended to hire as principal unexpectedly declined the position, saying the salary was too low.
The district was in a bind. Wilbur Cross, the city’s largest high school with 1,200 students, had to have a leader. And not just any leader. The school needed to improve, and it needed to change. Anyone who took this job – especially on such short notice – faced a challenging task.
Peggy Moore, the longtime and successful principal of Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School, stepped up to the plate. She agreed to leave her comfort zone and become Cross’s new principal. She entered Cross cold without the benefit of having worked there as an assistant principal.
Ms. Moore did not disappoint. Under trying circumstances, she has done an excellent job in her first year, producing concrete and measurable academic and school climate results. The school significantly improved performance in three courses that the district uses to measure academic progress in the 9th and 10th grades. Wilbur Cross students scoring proficient or at goal in Algebra I increased 29.9 percent in 2010-11 compared to last year, in Biology 14.3 percent and in English I 9.5 percent, according to end-of-year internal assessments.
Under Ms. Moore’s leadership, senior dropouts fell by more than half to about 20 from about 50 last year, resulting in 32 more graduates this year. She improved discipline and behavior, resulting in a reduction of out-of-school suspensions by more than half from 840 last year to 318 this year. In-school suspensions dropped from 277 to 140 during same time period. The attendance rate increased from 82 percent last year to 84 percent this year, which translates into about 3.6 more school days a year per student.
In addition, Ms. Moore completed the process of dividing the school into small learning communities – “houses” of about 400 students each – improving learning and helping build a sense of community. She also increased instructional time and required more academic rigor.
Cross needed these changes. It is a school that serves many students well – this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian were accepted at Yale University – but others not as well. Its academics need to improve for all students. The student body is remarkably diverse with students from all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic groups, a strength that also brings challenges. Security and safety are concerns. Ms. Moore has made real progress in addressing all of these issues.
Change is hard. Ms. Moore’s changes, which needed to happen, have upset some, which is only natural. No one is perfect and in addressing Cross’ issues, Ms. Moore may have stepped on some toes. But as the initial shock of change has worn off, Ms. Moore has begun building strong relationships within the school community that will enable her to take the school to the next level.
It’s easy to lose sight of progress by focusing only on the negative and highlighting the sensational. Everyone wants Wilbur Cross to fulfill its potential and promise. Ms. Moore has made real progress toward that goal.