The New York State Education Department recently honored four elementary schools in the City School District of Albany for either rapidly improving or making strides toward closing the achievement gap, another indication the district is giving its youngest students a solid educational foundation. The schools recognized are: Albany School of Humanities, Arbor Hill Elementary School, School 16 and School 19.

• Arbor Hill Elementary School was only one of 71 schools in the state to be designated a "rapidly improving school." Arbor Hill has made adequate yearly progress (AYP) in English Language Arts, math and science for each of the past three years, and improved its performance during that time on measures for which it was below state standards. (AYP refers to certain achievement standards set by the state for each school).

• Both Albany School of Humanities and School 19 were named "high performance/gap closing" schools for meeting all applicable state standards for English and math during each of the past two years, and for also making AYP in those subjects the past two years.

• School 16 was named a "high performance/gap closing" school for meeting all applicable state standards for English and math during each of the previous two school years, and for achieving AYP in English, math and science in each of the previous three school years.

In a letter to the principal of each school, State Education Commissioner Richard P. Mills wrote, "Your entire school community has earned this recognition. ... We at the Department look forward to both learning from your achievement and supporting your continuing efforts toward even greater accomplishments."

Regarding the recognition, school district Superintendent Eva Joseph said, "It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the students and staff at each of these schools for this fine accomplishment and their equally fine academic performance. Closing the achievement gap is a stated goal of this district, and we have worked and will continue to work aggressively toward doing so. This recognition is proof that are efforts are paying off and that we are on the road toward greater success for all students."