H.L. Suverkrup Elementary School ranked first in academics

H.L. Suverkrup Elementary School was ranked first out of 79 public schools in Yuma County for its academics by the Arizona Department of Education.

Trish Valentin, principal for H.L. Suverkrup, said the state measures the growth of each grade level through test scores to determine it’s academic status for each school. She also added that it is important to focus on the social and emotional growth of the student.

“Knowing how much work they put into it and how much effort, it was nice to see them get rewarded for their work,” said Valentin.

The elementary school ranked number one among public schools that included elementary, middle, and high schools in the area. Valentin said there’s more than just the academic side to help the student.

“If kids are not feeling safe, if they haven’t been fed, if they don’t feel like they’re in an environment where people don’t care about them, they’re not going to learn,” said Valentin.