By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — While statewide test scores from this year's New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) were disappointing, particularly in mathematics, students at the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Performing and Visual Arts High School scored above the state average.

According to Walsh Principal John Haidemenos, the performing arts high school is under the umbrella of Tolman High School as far as test results and some other services go. As such, the 24 juniors who took the NECAP tests last October were lumped in with Tolman 11th graders.
Haidemenos said that once test results for individual students were extracted from the Tolman data, it showed that out of the 60 high schools around the state, JMW outperformed most of them in reading, writing and math.
An 85.33 percent proficiency in reading placed  JMW fourth after Classical, Barrington and East Greenwich high schools, A 61 percent proficiency in writing put JMW in third place behind Classical and East Greenwich, Haidemenos said.
In math, the students’ score of 25 percent proficiency ranked JMW at 18th out of the 60 high schools, three points higher than the state average.
By comparison, at Tolman High School, 44 students, or 15.38 percent of the 286 tested, were at or above proficiency in mathetmatics. At Shea, 17 students, or 7.26 percent of the 234 tested, scored proficient, mirroring a trend among urban core schools.
“We’re very happy. Anyway you look at these numbers, they are impressive,” Haidemenos said. “JMW is a public high school in an urban core community in the Pawtucket School Department. The NECAP scores are significant considering the demographic differences between Pawtucket, Barrington and East Greenwich. Our students did extremely well compared to other high schools from around the state.".
Schools Supt. Hans Dellith commented, “All I can say is that isn’t it wonderful when a plan comes together? The students’ scores are wonderful, and the way this school has been run is fabulous. We have shown we can accomplish a great deal if you put the proper people in place.”
Dellith, who said he spearheaded the JMW school, credited attorney and former School Committee member Jon Anderson with his interest in and support for the school. “Without him on the School Committee at the time, I don’t think the school would have gotten very far,” Dellith said.
Pleased at the news, Anderson stated, “I think it goes to show that good things can happen in Pawtucket schools when you put the right combination of students, teachers and programs together.
"Academically, I think it refutes the skeptics. These are fabulous educational outcomes that are measureable. And it shows that the school is a good investment for the community.”
Haidemenos added that the test scores reinforce the concept that an intensive arts-focused instructional setting has a positive impact on academics. He cited several public studies that showed how increased art and music instruction during the elementary grades improved student test scores, especially in math.
Now in its third year, JMW will graduate its first senior class next year. Once that happens, the school department can apply for autonomous status as a standalone school, Haidemenos said.
The school, housed in the historic Armory building at 172 Exchange St., defines its mission as providing an intensive, high quality, conservatory-style high school education in and through the arts. Acceptance to the school is based on an audition/portfolio process. All out-of-district students are charged tuition, but the tuition fee is waived for  Pawtucket residents.