For the first time in its seven-year history, Molokai Middle School has almost met the federal No Child Left Behind benchmark in math — they’re just one student shy right now and still have two more chances to make it. No small accomplishment when the benchmarks keep climbing almost every year.

“This school has NEVER made (Adequate Yearly Progress) in any subject before,” wrote School Community Council member Kimberly Svetin in an email today. “New principal, new School Community Council, new volunteers, new attitude, new group of 7th graders, strong group of 8th graders, same teachers and staff.”

She says principal Gary Davidson is branding Molokai Middle as the “Most Improved Public School in Hawaii.”