Barack Obama Named ​“School Of Distinction”

Principal Jamie Baker beamed at the hundreds of Barack Obama School students seated before her in the cafeteria. ​“How are the best scholars in the United States doing today?” she called out.

“Good,” the students responded.

“Just good or excellent?” asked Baker.

“Excellent!” the children yelled in unison. 

Barack Obama University Magnet School students are indeed excellent — not just according to themselves, but according to the state’s Department of Education.

The state named the Beaver Hills school, which has operated for just over three years and educates kids in grades Pre‑K through 4th grade, a ​“school of distinction” in recognition of students’ improvement in reading.

According to Baker, the school was recognized for an increase in the number of students, including ​“high needs students,” who reached their English Language Arts (ELA) growth targets on the Next Generation Accountability Index. In 2021 – 22, 71.1 percent of all students (and 70 percent of high needs students) met their ELA goal. In 2022 – 23, those numbers grew to 77 percent of all students and 76.2 percent of high needs students. (Also in New Haven, Lincoln-Bassett Community School was recognized as a school of distinction for its high needs students’ ELA growth.)

On Friday, the entire Barack Obama School, including parents watching online and attending in person, gathered for an assembly to celebrate their new ​“school of distinction” status.

Principal Baker opened the event with a shower of encouragement. ​“Kiss your smart brains!” she told the students, who kissed their hands and then touched their heads. ​“You’re worthy, right?” she called out to a sea of small applauding hands.

“Raise your hand if you like reading! Raise your hand if you like mathematics!” she instructed, prompting most students to reach up enthusiastically.

Vice Principal Melanie Thomas offered a pep talk on school attendance. ​“We care about you and want to see you. When you’re not at school, we ask about you,” she said. 

She reminded the kids that Captain Attendance — a staff member-turned-superhero who attended the assembly in full costume — visits the class with the best attendance each week with a stuffed animal owl prize.

One reason to come to school is that ​“when you come to school, your brain gets stronger,” said Thomas. ​“Make strong arms!” 

The kids flexed their muscles.

Thomas and Baker recognized several ​“scholars of the month” who excelled in both academic subjects and in being kind to their school community.

They also doled out certificates to each and every staff member in the room, honoring their hard work as educators.

The school choir performed a song whose chorus embedded a school pride spelling lesson. 

“O‑B-A-M‑A, Obama!” the choir chanted. They promised in one of the verses, ​“Of course we’ll make a difference in a world that needs our help.”

The assembly also featured spirited jazzy performances from the Hillhouse High School band, which made the Obama school kids dance, clap, and occasionally cover their ears from the booming sound.

As the band wrapped up, Baker told the kids, ​“No one can tell us all the talent is not right here in New Haven!”