HECTOR’S RIVER, Portland — Seaside Primary has been breaking new ground academically thanks to a combination of technological advances and extra support for students at the first sign that they’re struggling. The proof is in the impressive scores racked up in the recent Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

“Twenty out of 27 students were proficient and highly proficient in language arts; that saw a 74 per cent pass rate, up from 64 per cent achieved last year. We can safely say more comfort and the technology is working,” Principal Adli Lewis told the Jamaica Observer.

A breakdown of the school’s performance shows that 74 per cent of PEP students placed in the most prepared category of Pathway One. Twenty-two per cent fell into Pathway Two, while three per cent were assigned to Pathway Three, which indicates they will need additional support when they begin high school in September.

In terms of subject areas, 78 per cent of students did well in language arts; mathematics, 60 per cent; science, 67 per cent; and social studies, 70 per cent.

“We have never gotten results like this at this school. We are now breaking new frontiers as we are now up in the 70s and the grades are trending upwards. It means that the reading interventions are working,” said Lewis.

At Seaside Primary, students are assessed in grade two to determine if they need to receive support in reading and learning skills. After they are up to speed, they are reintegrated with their peers. Another assessment is done at the fourth-grade level and help provided as needed.

“This has contributed to almost all of the present grade six cohort reading at or above the grade-four level. This is a milestone accomplishment for the school,” said the obviously proud school administrator.

“The teachers utilise a lot of technology in their lessons and the students are used to the balance between technology, the gadgets, and the books — talk and chalk — as they balance both. We had to do some intervention classes with mathematics as students had a challenge with that. We utilised some weekends and holidays and the students and parents collaborated and it paid off at the end of the day,” Lewis added.

He spoke glowingly of Seaside Primary’s top student, Keyana Howell, who scored a 99 per cent in her ability tests and was deemed highly proficient in all subjects. She will be attending Holy Childhood High School.

Keyana, who is also a prefect, shared her views on how she did.

“I am very pleased with myself and my performance. I feel very proud of myself. I studied a lot, I had many sleepless nights. I used numerous past papers and YouTube. The instructions on YouTube were clear and the technology helped me a lot. They explain the papers and the questions. My mother played an important part in my achievement as she stayed up with me, questioned me, and saw that I covered various topics,” she disclosed.

“I expected high grades but not so high, and I will be going to the school of my first choice. It is a very good school, it has a lot of facilities, and it is involved in a number of things. I am looking forward to going there,” she added with a smile.

According to Ministry of Education data, Keyana is the “third-highest performing student in Portland and is within the top 500 nationally”.

Schoolmate Donnae Wilson also scored in the 90s and will be attending Titchfield High.

“The mathematics was a little challenging, but the other subjects were okay for me. I got a lot of support from my mother and I am very happy I did well,” she told the Observer.

Head girl Donae Jones will also be attending Titchfield as of September.

“While preparing I used numerous past papers, and YouTube was very helpful. It was difficult and challenging at times as we had to give up some weekends… and some of the holidays too. But it paid off, and I am very happy. I thank my teachers and parents,” she said.

Samara Davey, who will be attending Belmont Academy, also expressed gratitude to those who helped make that possible.

“I thank my parents for their support and my teachers as I look forward to my new school and doing well,” she said.

Top boy Khalil Kenton was surprised at his results.

“I didn’t know I would have got such high a grade as I did not study, but I am thankful and will work much harder… I want to be a part of the Schools’ Challenge team and win trophies,” he said.

Delgado Wilson said he tried his best and he reaped the results.

“The hard work paid off. My parents and teachers helped me very well to understand what I didn’t, and I appreciate it very much,” he said.