Nathan Straus Photo The teachers of Chandler Elementary. Back: Shanda Booth, C.J. Hughes, Daniena Seale, Sandy Carter, Carol Munch, Ami Patterson, Beth Adair, Rachel Barnes, Janet Kiker, Linda McKeever, Sonya McCoy. Next to back: Gary Roberson, Michelle Ashbreck, Susan Baley, Cindy Mitchell, Mary Alice Cade, Stefanie Parker, Eileen Reid, Julie McCullough, Susan McAdam, Natalie Smith, Shelia Spencer, Jana Sherman, Michele Hopson, Brenda Tullos, Christa Tompkins, Rachel Hauser, Duane Hauser. Row before: Paula Phillips, Joann Ellis. Front Row: Briana Drake, Kim Birdwell, Bridget Walker. Not pictured: Johnice Weisinger, Ginny Phelps, Juanita Duke, Toni McCallie. + The City of Chandler and its Elementary School teachers have a good reason to celebrate. This year the teachers learned their school was elevated to Exemplary status, the highest Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills testing level possible.

Sonya McCoy, CES teacher, said the school's bump from Recognized status to Exemplary status comes as a huge honor to the school.

"We've worked real hard, and now we are going to work to refine it," she said.

The school was extremely close to achieving Exemplary during the last school year. Its "At Risk" category of students was slightly lower than it needed to be for the school to hit the highest rank. Now, even this category is up. Thanks to interventions, small groups and continued hard work, the efforts to bring the "At Risk" student scores up paid off.

Duane Hauser, an experienced teacher new to CES, also voiced his enthusiasm for the school's new rank.

"I have taught at a num ber of different places," Hauser said, "and I can see why this school got Exemplary. "

Susan Baley, a 35-year veteran of the elementary school, is similarly excited about the school's rating.

"I was hoping our third grade would be awarded Exemplary before I retired," Baley said.

Though the third grade is the only elementary school grade to take the TAKS tests, McCoy said the teachers at the earlier levels from kindergarten have just as much to do with preparing a student for the testing as the third grade teachers.

In addition, it's not just the teachers to thank for this historic achievement.

Briana Drake, another CES teacher, said the Exemplary rating comes from everyone in the community chipping in for a common goal; the children's education.

Bridgett Walker, a firstyear teacher at the school, said she was very honored to enter the scene just as this award was received.

"I wouldn't ask for anything else," she added.

With school already in session and the highest rating achieved, the only thing left for Chandler Elementary School and its teachers, students and parents is to keep up the good work.