ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – An Escanaba school has been recognized for its students’ academic excellence.
Each year, students across the state take the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress (M-STEP). Third through seventh graders at Holy Name Catholic School exceeded public school students’ scores across all subjects tested for the 2023 – 2024 academic year.
In the overall portion of the English language arts test, 64% of Holy Name students scored proficient or higher, compared to the 41% of public school students who scored proficient or higher. In the writing portion of the English language arts test, 93% of Holy Name students earned a proficient or higher score.
While 40% of public school fifth and eighth graders scored proficient or better in the overall physical science portion, 69% of Holy Name fifth and eighth graders scored proficient or better. The M-STEP shows similar results in both math and social studies.
According to Principal Nathan Vande Hey, Holy Name provides students with a classical education. He says the school aims to create strong people rather than only strong test takers.
“In a world where there is so much information, it’s hard to narrow it down,” Vande Hey said. “You can’t know everything, so we really try to stay focused on the true, the good, and the beautiful. When have this combination of really thinking the thoughts of the great thinkers and then to be able to articulate that, all those things come together beautifully because their brains have been trained that way. We’re really proud of the work that’s being done here at Holy Name.”
While he says there is always room for growth, Vande Hey says students demonstrated the solid educational foundation they have already gained at Holy Name.
