Congratulations to the Cardinal High School graduating class of 2008!
Click here to see the list of graduates.
Welcome to . . .
Cardinal Community Schools
Arnie Snook, Superintendent
I would like to welcome you to the Cardinal Community School District. We are a school district that is big enough to serve you, but small enough to know you! Over the past four years our staff and administration has put much time and effort into improving the quality of instruction, establishing high standards and expectations for students, and underscoring the need for a safe school climate.
Cardinal is a data driven and time on task school. Our teachers, administrators and school board use data to drive the important decisions necessary to offer each and every student a quality education. Cardinal also knows that we can have the best educational data available about our district, or even an individual student, but unless one gets down to work (time on task) nothing will be achieved by our students or school district.
Cardinal is a student centered school. Our central focus at Cardinal is zeroed in on offering each and every student the opportunity to acquire the educational tools that will allow them to build their future life to the fullest. Cardinal’s staff uses a wide array of
educational assessments to find out where students are in their educational growth and uses the information to help guide students to higher levels of achievement.
Cardinal is a school district based on continual improvement. Our improvement process is “not based” on the philosophy that Cardinal will ever reach a point where the road to improvement is done. We know the word “improvement” is a continuing and never ending process if Cardinal is to maximize our efforts.
The road to continued improvement . . .
READING: It was not too long ago that it was common to see class “reading proficiency” averages at Cardinal in the 40% to 50% proficiency range. Over the last four years this data has changed significantly. It is not uncommon today to see class “reading proficiency” rates in the middle to upper 70th percentile rate and a district-wide average reading proficiency above 70%. Cardinal students will continue to improve on their reading proficiency scores.
MATH: Six, seven and eight years ago Cardinal’s average “math proficiency” rate was right around 62%. Today our average “math proficiency” rate district-wide has grown to 72%. This 10% growth over the past four years did not just happen. This growth has taken place because of dedicated staff and parental efforts. Cardinal is committed to never ending improvement - these scores will continue to grow.
DISCIPLINE/SAFE ENVIRONMENT: Cardinal has seen great changes in our student’s behavior over the last four years. Discipline referrals continue to fall each year in Cardinal district-wide. The implementation of programs like Safe Orderly Courtesy Kind Schools (SOCKS), Helping Hands after school program and advisory/character education periods are helping to develop a super safe school environment for students. One will not find students wandering the halls or using four letter words at Cardinal.
Yours for EXCELLENCE in EDUCATION & LIFE 24/7,
Arnie Snook, Superintendent
Cardinal is “Striving for EXCELLENCE. NO EXCUSES accepted!”
The mission...
...of the Cardinal Community School is to foster an enriching environment and channel the energies of students to achieve their fullest potential.
It is the policy of Cardinal Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.7. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by Cardinal Community School District, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; web site: http://www.state.ia.us/government/crc/index.html |
