Principal Tammy Caraker, Ed.S
Phone: (239) 377-2403
Email: caraketa@collierschools.com

Dear Parents,

Good news from the Florida Department of Education, Palmetto Ridge High School celebrates a “B” grade (2011-12 school year) and measurable gains in student achievement. The students, faculty and staff worked hard to accomplish their goals and their efforts should be celebrated. Palmetto Ridge is diligently “clawing it’s way to the A”. We are excited to share that our student achievement points in both acceleration and FCAT student achievement earned our school the equivalent points of “A”, but one remaining obstacle must be overcome to officially earn the “A” designation, the on time graduation rate of our students in a four year period. This is an area we need to consistently see growth in, as we focus our efforts on student achievement and celebrations, we need to encourage ALL students to focus on a four year high school graduation plan.

As we begin the second semester, the final touches on FCAT and EOC preparation begins and the students begin to set their sights on springtime. With FCAT and other state and national standardized testing that will arrive in the spring, a couple of tips to remember, there is a fine line between pumping your child up about standardized testing and creating test anxiety. We face the same challenge in the classroom and across our schools. Encourage them to do always do their best, but be careful not to build up too much pressure.

• Start talking to your child a few days before the testing starts about how to prepare to do his best. Together, mark the testing dates on the calendar at home or post them on the refrigerator.
• Plan to have your student get a good night’s sleep every night of the testing period.
• Ask your son or daughter what special breakfasts they would like on the testing mornings. Plan the menus and put them on the calendar, too. A happy, full child has a test advantage.
• Send your children off to school on testing days with a big smile on their face! A positive attitude and mental state will serve them well during testing.
• Ask how the testing went each day. Allow time to share some questions or test details. Discuss some test taking strategies, such as the process of elimination if one is not sure of an answer. Believe it or not, testing time can be fun! Working as a team, we can set the stage for our students to demonstrate their knowledge during testing week.

Each step towards preparation can only enhance student performance on the test. Daily, our teachers are focusing on standards and learning is happening in classrooms. The culmination of this focus happens when students apply their knowledge on the state and national assessments.

Together with our teachers, I am confident our students can exceed our scores from last year. As always, I encourage our parents and PRHS Bear family members to support their students in academic, performance, and athletic endeavors. Our second semester is well underway and I encourage our students to keep up the good work; each and every day your Bears make me very proud to serve as the principal of Palmetto Ridge High School.

Go Bears!
Tammy Caraker
Principal

School Public Accountability Report

The School Public Accountability Report (SPAR) contains several types of data (indicators) designed to inform parents and the general public about the progress of Florida's public schools. This report meets the public reporting requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and includes certain additional information of interest on your school.

Click here to see the report.