The Ypsilanti Community Schools Board of Education last night received quarterly reports from two under-performing schools that have caught the state's eye.
The Principals of Holmes and Estabrook Elementary schools outlined steps they're taking to improve student achievement.
At Holmes Elementary, things like having breakfast in classrooms and staggering dismissal times have helped cut fighting and expulsions by half.
At Estabrook, efforts are focusing on students who struggle with the English language. Those students will have after-school tutoring available a couple of days a week starting later this month.
Holmes Elementary is a so-called "priority school", ranking in the bottom five percent in the state's "top-to-bottom" ranking of schools.
Estabrook Elementary is a "focus school", ranking in the top ten percent in the gap between its highest and lowest-achieving students.