Business First is out with its annual list of Best Elementary schools in Western NewYork. According to the paper and WBFO and AM 970's Mark Leitner, there's been changing of the guard in the academic rankings.
We kind of grew accustomed to seeing a first place finish for the Southern Tier Catholic Elementary School. But today, there's a new number one.
"The last couple of years, thee number one elementary school in the region was Southern Tier Catholic School in Olean this year, it has slipped down a bit to third place; and Ledgeview Elementary School out in Clarence has moved up to number one," said G. Scott Thomas, Businees First. "So for the third time in four years we have a new school at the top of the elementary school rankings."
The paper points to Ledgeview's excellent standardized test scores in the so-called core subjects: English Language Arts and Math. a couple of principals of the highest - ranking elementary schools with whom Business First spoke all gave credit to where credit is due: their schools' teaching staffs, describing them as phenomenal or fantastic. Rounding out the top five elementary schools across the 8 counties are Saint Gregory the Great in Williamsville at number 2; Southern Tier in Olean is number 3; Country Parkway in Williamsville is number 4; and at number 5: Christ the King School in Amherst.
For a full listing go to Business First's Website story: http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/news/2012/06/11/ledgeview-grabs-first-place-in.html
These are the 278 schools in order of rank:
• 1. Ledgeview ES (Clarence)
• 2. St. Gregory the Great School (Williamsville)
• 3. Southern Tier Catholic School (Olean)
• 4. Country Parkway ES (Williamsville)
• 5. Christ the King School (Amherst)
• 6. Nardin Academy ES (Buffalo)
• 7. Maple East ES (Williamsville)
• 8. St. John Vianney School (Orchard Park)
• 9. Smallwood Drive School (Amherst)
• 10. South Davis ES (Orchard Park)