BROUGHT TO YOU BY
December 2024 | Volume 15 | Issue 7
Serving the Birmingham area since 1958. SERVING HOMEWOOD, HOOVER, MOUNTAIN BROOK, VESTAVIA HILLS, TRUSSVILLE AND THE U.S. 280 CORRIDOR
HOMEWOOD’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE THEHOMEWOODSTAR.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
GUINSERVICE.COM
205-595-4846
AL#12175
Reading scores rise Homewood schools see growth in English, math proficiency and ACT scores
The Homewood Theatre received special access to the script of Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” for its show this December. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
By SARAH OWENS
H
Homewood Theatre brings Truman Capote short story to the stage for Christmas
omewood City Schools, like many school systems across the state, saw an increase in English language arts proficiency ratings in grades 3-8 from the 2024 Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program. Coming in at a score of 81.2% proficiency, Homewood grew almost 3 percentage points from 2023’s proficiency rate of 78.4%. Alabama’s ELA proficiency rate for grades 3-8 for 2024 was 56%, an increase from 51.9% in 2023. The ACAP report noted the biggest spike came from third grade scores and attributed the growth to the full implementation of the Literacy Act passed in 2019. Homewood’s third grade ELA proficiency jumped from 72.5% in 2023 to 83.9% in 2024. The state rate for third grade sits at 62%. “Homewood has been fortunate to have excellent teachers and resources, resulting in high reading Hefner proficiency even before the Alabama Literacy Act,” Superintendent Justin Hefner said. “However, the act has fostered greater intentionality among teachers and administrators, prompting a focus on professional learning in the science of reading, best practices and data analysis.
By EMILY REED
See TEST SCORES | page 26 From front: Chris Rodgers, Cooper Sain and Oliver Wright practice English exercises during Holly Drake’s ACT prep class at Homewood High School. Photo by Savannah Schmidt.
INSIDE
Sponsors............................ 4 City...................................... 6
Schoolhouse...................... 8 Business............................. 9
Ellise Mayor has always loved Truman Capote, so when the opportunity to play a favorite character from one of his short stories, “A Christmas Memory,” came up, she took it. “It is such a wonderful story,” Mayor said. “I am usually pretty firm in that I don’t ever perform during the holidays, but this was just an opportunity I could not turn down. I am just giddy over getting to bring this character to life.” Mayor will play Sook in the Homewood Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Memory,” which will debut Dec. 5 and run through Dec. 15. The story, set in the South in the 1930s, centers on a young boy, Buddy, and his elderly cousin, Sook. The story is semi-autobiographical and concentrates on country life, the unique friendship between the two characters and the concept of giving during the Christmas season. Homewood Theatre Executive Director Kyle Bass said one of the main scenes of the play centers around making fruitcake, and all members of the audience will receive fruitcake at the show.
Real Estate....................... 12 Events................................ 13
See THEATRE | page 27 Sports................................ 16 Community...................... 20 facebook.com/thehomewoodstar
Brookwood Village
Patriot Hoops
Brookwood Village sees possible beginnings of revitalization with Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center proposal.
High school basketball season is underway.
See page 6
See page 16-17
Buy•Sell•Trade
COINS, GOLD & SILVER
David Bradford Owner/Operator
thealabamacoinshop.com | 205.401.3839 3183 Pelham Pkwy Suite B | Pelham, AL 35124
FREE
APPRAISALS