• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

West Haven Voice

West Haven’s only independent news source - By and For West Haven

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Advertise With Us!
  • Classified
  • Announcements
  • Contact Us
  • Web Exclusive
    • Kids Activity Pages

US News ranks Mackrille 25th in the state

December 7, 2021 By whvoice

The Mackrille Staff posed for a picture during the recent celebration of the school’s selection as one of the top in Connecticut.

By Michael O’Brien

Special to the Voice

Edith E. Mackrille School was ranked the 25th-best elementary school in Connecticut by the U.S. News & World Report in a recent issue.

Judith B. Drenzek, the assistant superintendent, served as principal at Mackrille School from 2012 until taking her new position. Drenzek credits the school’s success to its incredible staff and ability to work together to provide the best resources for its students.

“The success that Mackrille is experiencing is a direct result of the hard work and dedication from all staff members,” exclaimed Drenzek. “The staff has worked together as one to provide the best resources and opportunities for all of our students, of all different abilities, to be able to succeed in both school and life. I could not be prouder of our Mackrille family [teachers and parents] for their continuous support of the children.”

The U.S. News & World Report ranked 560 elementary schools and 288 middle schools in Connecticut. Schools are ranked at the state and district levels. To determine the rankings, U.S. News used data from the U.S. Department of Education to analyze two areas at each school; Math and reading proficiency (or how well students perform on state assessments) and Math and reading performance (or how well they perform compared with expectations). The state assessment data used in the rankings is from the 2018-19 school year and, therefore, predates any effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on test-taking.

Edith E. Mackrille School, a PreK through 4th-grade elementary school, has a student population of 308. Of those 308 students, 82% scored above proficient or above level for Reading and Math.

In November, Drenzek and Superintendent Neil Cavallaro honored the staff at Mackrille for their vested interest in making a school environment a positive place for students to learn. Drenzek and current principal Taryn Driend, who took over in July, each addressed the staff prior to the start of the event.

“This is a wonderful achievement for the school,” said Driend. “The end result is attributed to all the hard work by the students, teachers, and parents/guardians. This is a truly collaborative effort and goes to show what can be accomplished when the school community comes together and focuses on the common goal of educating our youth.”

The people most involved in the reading program had their own assessment.

Mackrille School has accomplished this excellent achievement with the collaboration of the students, parents, and school staff,” said Kim Zabilowski and Carol Hummel from the Reading Department. “We work together to create a positive and successful environment for all children at the school. Mackrille has always included the community to be guest readers. This has helped inspire and encourage the students to become lifelong readers.”

“The students have worked so hard in the classroom and their motivation to succeed has paid off,” added 4th-grade teacher Stacey Alves. “I am very proud of all the students in our school.”

Those sentiments were echoed by other staff members.

“Congratulations to Mackrille School on this achievement,” said match coach Jen Rosenberg. “The staff has high levels of expectations for all their students and the students work hard to rise to this occasion. I am proud of all of you!”

“It’s certainly a collaborative effort among all involved,” added social worker DeAnna Paolino. “Mackrille is very lucky to have supportive parents and administration as well as a dedicated staff.  Our students have put in a lot of hard work to get where they are and it definitely has shown. The past two years have not been easy due to circumstances we have been unable to control, which says a lot about what needed to be done to get to this point. We are very proud of all involved, grateful to all who have supported us, and very happy with the success that we have been able to obtain here at Mackrille School.”

Filed Under: 120921, Featured

Primary Sidebar

Seach our site

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Historian's Corner ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Historian’s Corner

westhavenvoice.com

Historian’s Corner May 21, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment The West Haven Veterans Museum on Hood Terrace is making an effort to acquaint city students and youth in the history of service in the cit...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 1
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Dear Felicia ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Dear Felicia

westhavenvoice.com

Dear Felicia May 22, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Howdy do, sweets! Hard to believe, but here we are at the downside of May, looking into the Memorial Day weekend already. Of course, like most thin...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Pollution plant needs leadership, $$$ ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Pollution plant needs leadership, $$$

westhavenvoice.com

Pollution plant needs leadership, $$$ May 21, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment By Richard Hebert and Bonnie Posick Research by Kyle Rich West Haven residents have been vocal about the city’s revaluat...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

HS Frosh cited by Mullins ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

HS frosh cited by Mullins

westhavenvoice.com

HS frosh cited by Mullins May 21, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Steven R. Mullins presents his 10th annual awards to WHHS frosh Bibi Hadi. Steven R. Mullins presents his 10th annual awards to WHHS f...
1 week ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

 

 

West Haven’s Calendar

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

tockify.com

Fri 23 Jun, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM [EDT]: Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT Old Grove Park Public · Anyone on or off Facebook West Haven summer concerts are back! Join us in West Haven thi...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Mark Your West Haven Calendar

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/442/1686776400000

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum

tockify.com

Wed 14 Jun, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM [EDT]: Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT West Haven Veterans ...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Added for June 10th & 11th

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/443/1686405600000

West Haven Historical Society Open House
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

West Haven Historical Society Open House

tockify.com

Sat 10 Jun, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM [EDT]:
View Comments
  • likes Like 2
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

Footer

Address

West Haven Voice
840 Boston Post Road
West Haven, CT

 

Contact us

Call (203) 934-6397

Contact form

SITE NAVIGATION

HOME
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
ADVERTISE!
CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONTACT US
WEB EXCLUSIVE

FIND US IN PRINT

Our print edition is available each Thursday. Here is a list of locations!

Letters Policy

Information on submitting letters to us.

Our submission deadlines.

Copyright © 2025 West Haven Voice, LLC