By and large, Gilroy's public schools have done a wonderful job in the past year. Indeed in some cases like Eliot School there have been astounding and impressive improvements in test scores.

It's with glee that we report such good news like the 83-point jump Eliot School made in its Academic Performance Index ranking.

Las Animas scores shot up 65 points to 836 making it the second Gilroy school to surpass the magic 800-score benchmark. Glen View went up 24 points and both Gilroy High and Brownell Middle School made solid progress with 18-point gains.

2. Hard work and a determination to improve has led to success

Superintendent Debbie Flores greeted inquiries with an effusive, "I've been psyched for a week."

That's how the community should react - this truly is cause for celebration. It means that our school district is on the right track. It means our teachers are committed to improvement and collaboration. It means that our principals are seriously studying best practices and passionately leading the way toward a better education for all our children. It means that our school board is making good decisions. It means that there are some calculated risks being taken that are paying off. And it means our superintendent is determinedly doing what we've desperately needed - passionatley leading our district down the path of success with conviction.

3. Our heartfelt thanks to the many educators who are doing great things

There are still miles to go. This race is a marathon. But the foundation is being poured by everyone in the district who is giving just a bit more to get the job done.

At the front of the pack is Eliot Principal James Dent who has engineered a "positive snowball." What can we learn from his creativity and leadership?

With this collective and quantum leap forward, the district has the ability to look and learn from within - as well as seeking best practices from outside sources.

It's great to be on the right track.

Our sincere thanks to the teachers, the principals, the board and the superintendent for all the hard work.

It's paying off for our community and our students.