Keystone principal ‘really, really’ happy with comparisons

Keystone Academy Principal Jorvonna Drain told the Keystone Board of Directors at its regular Oct. 9 meeting that she was very happy with the comparison done by National Heritage Academies that shows Keystone outperforming nearby districts again this year, as it has in the past.
She referred to the 2025 M-STEP results that were recently released by the state. The comparison released was for the past five school years.
She said Keystone is ahead in every single subject and grade level in proficiency when compared to Van Buren Public Schools, other nearby school districts, and the state average.
Measured were grades 3-8 in ELA, math, science, and social studies. For 2024-25, the closest schools were Barth Elementary School, Edgemont Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School, McBride Middle School, Owen Intermediate School, and Savage Road Elementary School.
“I’m really, really happy with these results,” she told the board.
She said a comparison of the Median Student Growth Percentiles Report shows Keystone students are growing faster than state academic growth.
In other business at the 20-minute meeting, the board:
• Heard NHA representative Andrew Roth announced they found a place for a tree to honor the work of retired board president Vesta Losen, who retired more than a year ago. He said the first place they wanted to put the tree turned out to be over an underground pipe and so they moved the site to near the shed. He said it is a red Crimson King Silver Maple. He said they will put a small plaque on it to mark her service and “get her out here and take a picture”;
• Ratified the Teacher Evaluation and Employee Certification Warranty Resolution, the only action item on the agenda. Roth said the board attorney got what she was waiting for and is satisfied so the board can approve the resolution;
• Heard Brittany Cook, representing charter authorizer Bay Mills Community College, say the Bay Mills meeting that was canceled is being replaced with a dinner from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Ally Detroit Center;
• Heard Tameka Leonard, dean of upper elementary and specials, present the list of possible holiday gift items the staff would like to receive. Principal Drain had surveyed the staff for ideas. Leonard said while they all like the Amazon gift card idea, it might be good for them to get an item for the holidays and save the gift card for another round of giving to the staff;
• Was informed the school community raised $450 for the Susan B. Komen foundation, surpassing last year’s total of $400. Through the school’s partnership with Bank of America, they quadrupled the Keystone donation, so the school is able to contribute $1,800 to assist finding a cure for cancer;
• Learned there are currently 731 students enrolled at Keystone. Reports on staff show the second-grade teacher has finished her chemo treatments¸ a new recess aide was hired and will start work Oct. 20, there are vacancies for social worker and speech, and the resource room teacher is on leave; and
• Was told the Harper Toy Drive has been set for Nov. 3-7.