The Edgecomb Eddy School and Dresden Elementary are two of 21 Maine schools honored by the Department of Education for achieving top results in the state’s federally required accountability system. These schools demonstrated high progress or achieved great performance toward meeting state and federal standards for literacy and mathematics, according to a DOE press release.

The state identified these 21 schools as either high performance or high progress reward schools. Edgecomb Eddy and Dresden Elementary were two of the 15 high performance schools named.

Other schools achieving high performance status were Farrington School (Augusta), Fayette Central School, Beech Hill School (Otis), Durham Community School, Minot Consolidated School, South Hiram Elementary School, Woodstock Elementary School (Bryant Pond), Daniel W. Merritt School (Addison), Coastal Ridge Elementary (York), and Bradford Elementary School.

Schools identified as high performance reward schools met all annual targets and performed within the highest 15 percent of Title I schools. This was the second consecutive year that Edgecomb Eddy scored an “A” on the state’s school performance grading system.

The DOE also noted that two-thirds of the reward schools have 50 percent of their students qualifying for free-or-reduced lunch. Edgecomb has 45.2 percent of its students come from low-income families.

DOE officials believes these schools with large student populations living in low-income homes proves academic success is possible regardless of socioeconomic status.

“Nearly two-thirds of of reward schools have 50 percent of students who qualify for free-or-reduced price lunch, proving all students are capable of learning when schools put in place the appropriate support and strategies to overcome challenges,” the press release states.

A large student population comprising students from low-income families isn’t the only challenge Edgecomb Eddy School has faced in recent years. The school continues a tradition of academic excellence despite a significant loss in state funding.

Edgecomb is spending less on education than it did in 2008-09. That year, the school budget was $2,644,367, which included a $603,135 state subsidy. On May 16, Edgecomb residents approved a $2,539,182 school budget. The state subsidy increased for the first time in four years. The 2015-16 subsidy of $262,789 increased by $5,789, but it’s still less than half of what it was six years ago.

Edgecomb Eddy Principal Lisa Clarke said the sharp reduction forced the school to consolidate several programs. The school stopped busing students to the Boothbay Region YMCA for phys. ed classes. School administrators also saved money by integrating the music, arts and phys. ed programs.

Clarke, who also taught at Edgecomb Eddy School, said in her eight years as principal the school budget has been a major challenge.

“It has been a struggle, but the school always had a good track record of success,” Clark said. “Those budget cuts didn’t impact the quality of education. It made us dig deeper and work harder. It has been a collaborative effort by the staff to ensure the students get the attention they need.”

Edgecomb Eddy School has 82 students. Despite the state subsidy cut, the student-teacher ratio remains low. According to Clark, the ratio is 12:1.

“I think that’s a real advantage,” Clark said. “We have a small staff and everybody knows all of the students even if they don’t have them in class. It contributes to the welcoming atmosphere people feel when they come here.”

Teacher Terry Mulligan agrees the small enrollment creates a conducive learning environment. Mulligan team-teaches with Nancy Rose and Julie Higgins. The trio teach grades 4-6.

“Teaching the same student for three straight years creates a stronger rapport between the student and teacher,” she said. “We better identify their strengths and weaknesses. It enables us to enrich their learning experience in preparing them to succeed.”

Second grade teacher Dawn Garey has been associated with Edgecomb Eddy School since she was a six-year-old. In 1958, she began as kindergartener. She has taught at the school for 38 years. And two of her children attended school at Edgecomb Eddy.

She remembers walking upstairs to second floor pre-Civil War era building on her first day as student. In 2002, the new school opened. It has more space, a larger playground, and better facility to integrate technology into the curriculum.

But one thing didn’t change when the school changed locations.

“There have always been high expectations for Edgecomb students,” Garey said. “Whether it was in the old building or here, there has always been high standards. And I think that comes from the community’s commitment to provide a quality education.”

During the May 16 town meeting, two voters complained about school spending. According to the Edgecomb School Committee, per pupil spending is over $14,000. One resident suggested to close the school and rent the school to the Center for Teaching and Learning, also located in town.

Resident and parent of a former Edgecomb Eddy student Margot Stiassni-Sieracki defended the school’s spending. She explained the school has a talented and experience staff. She also credited the school for providing a quality education. Stiassni-Sieracki reported that Edgecomb Eddy students were well-prepared for middle and high school. And the town’s students consistently finished in the top third of their high school class.