More than half of Columbus elementaries have rates above 31 percent. District resources, educators say, stretch further when fewer students are needy. A national principal shortage hits poor schools hardest. At Trevitt and Kent elementaries, home to some of the district's poorest children, leadership trainees oversaw the school during most of the past year. Then in April, an administrator with 23 years of experience came from Marion, Ohio, to take charge.
Successful schools look better-maintained and have ample space.
Winterset, for example, has a photography club and a chess club. The children of Indian Springs and Winterset simply start ahead and stay ahead. Defying the expectations Although not obvious to outsiders, Indian Springs has its share of children who come from homes where money is tight. There are children here with severe needs. They just don't stand out as strongly, because there aren't as many and they are taken care of by a loving staff.