180 students will be recognized tonight, during the school board meeting, for receiving perfect scores in the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge, a state exam that checks education attainments of elementary school students.

During the 2013 testing period: “162 received perfect scores on the math assessment; 23 received perfect scores on the science assessment; 6 received perfect scores on math and science; and 58 achieved perfect math scores for two or more consecutive years – with 3 Paterson students achieving this feat four years in a row and two for five years in a row”, according to Terry Corallo, a spokesperson for the district. “The total number of students being recognized is up 37% year over year,” said Corallo in a statement.

In a school district with more than 29,000 students, being recognized for perfect score, certainly demonstrates smarts; the assessment was given to students in grade three through eight. Two schools in the district, Norman S. Weir and Gifted & Talented Academy, managed to achieve 100-percent “proficiency for specific grades and testing sections.”

The students will be recognized prior to Wednesday’s regular board of education meeting. “This district has been focused on significantly improving student achievement, and tonight’s celebration is a shining example of how children can and will achieve when you set high expectations for them,” said Donnie Evans, the district’s superintendent, in a written statement. “Our work is not done.  Our mission is to prepare all of the children of Paterson for a brighter future – which includes going to college and being ready for the global workplace.