Harlan Elementary celebrates projected increase on state report card

FLORENCE, Ala. — Harlan Elementary School is celebrating a projected increase in its Alabama State Report Card score. Principal Julian Smith announced the news to students and staff at the school's first assembly of the year on Wednesday. Smith also announced a new award for one of the school's former leaders.

Smith opened the assembly by explaining to students what factors affect the school's report card each year.

"We measure growth from year to year," Smith said. "Attendance — being here every day. We hear about that all the time: being at school and how important it is to be able to be at school and learn."

Smith then shifted to academic achievement, noting that students performing well on the ACAP test also affects the overall school score.

"We want to celebrate those things," Smith said. "An 86 — that is the score that we had for our last report card."

Smith gave the students a moment to guess the projected 2026 score. Before revealing the surprise, he showed the students slides of report card scores from the previous four school years.

"We have a 78, 82, 85, and 86," Smith said. "Every year we've gone up."

Cheers and applause filled the gymnasium as Smith revealed Harlan's newest projected score of 87. Harlan was also one of only two Title I schools of 19 that scored above the state average in reading and math. To celebrate the achievements, Harlan will be hosting a Kona Ice party on Friday, September 4 for all students and staff. Teachers will also receive a catered lunch on October 8.

To close the assembly, Smith recognized someone special who he said demonstrated years of hard work to help get Harlan to the level it is today.

"You guys are working hard, your teachers are working hard, but we also recognize Dr. Casteel for all of his hard work," Smith said. "When Dr. Casteel first got here in Harlan, they had a 75 on their report card, and over the years he's grown and grown and grown."

Dr. Thomas Casteel previously served as Harlan's principal before accepting a role as the Florence City Schools curriculum director.

Before calling Casteel to the podium, Smith asked that every teacher hired under his leadership stand.

"That's the impact that he's made on the school, on our achievement, and on our culture, and we definitely want to celebrate that," Smith said.

Thanking Smith for his kind words, Casteel then addressed the assembly as the inaugural recipient of the Harlan Elementary Key to the School Award.

"I just want to thank the students," Casteel said. "You guys made it happen, right? You're the ones growing the school. Teachers, you're the ones growing the students. So give yourself one more round of applause."

Casteel closed by leaving the students with a lesson on legacy.

"I read something the other day that was talking about legacy, and it said the greatest legacy — that's just like a permanent imprint," Casteel said. "The greatest legacy is great leaders; Mr. Smith's a great leader, your teachers are great leaders, and every one of you are great leaders."

By Jeremy Jackson