That response by first-grader Noah Price drew laughter from the crowd after he was asked by his Grove Elementary School teacher Denise Scofield what he did to improve his test scores.

Noah stole the show at the Feb. 16 school board meeting that featured students in high, middle and grade schools.

With prompting from his teacher, Noah explained that he actually was able to improve by looking at data which areas he was weak in and studying to improve in those areas. In his class, they actually keep a data notebook and graph how they do on each test so they can see their own improvement. They use it to set goals. If they reach a goal, they make another one. He’s already passed his reading goal, already at a level for end-of-the-year second-graders.

Students Debora Dion, Zakkary Hurtubise and McKinley Galde talked about how Grove’s use of “The Leader in Me” curriculum has helped them personally.

“I’ve learned to balance my life between play and getting my work done,” Debora said.

McKinley added: “It’s made me a better person. I can control me but not others.”

She said she used to not do homework at all.

“But putting first things first I get it done,” she said, adding she also has learned the habit of understanding before talking.

Zakkary said he has learned to be accountable for his actions.

“I taught myself to behave,” he said. “If you don’t think you can do something you change your mindset. If you set a goal and work hard you can achieve anything.”

Principal Sharon Anderson and others on her staff talked about how Grove is using “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” in their teaching.

“Our students take leadership roles themselves,” Anderson said.

To help the students learn about their learning, teachers have conversations with them about why the work they do is important, and if they don’t understand something they talk about the roadblocks.

Scores shot up because then students understood the meaning behind the work, staff said.

For example, from September to January, scores improved from 20 to 111 points in reading and 41 to 95 points in math. Those scores were better than the goals that were set for the year.

“We’re moving well beyond our goals,” Anderson said.

Staff learned a deeper understanding of state standards so lessons could target learning.

Also, students receive special instruction up to 30 minutes daily to help each child learn what they need to. New groups are formed every six weeks.

Board president Pete Lundberg was impressed they could stay that up to date.

“Everybody’s singing off the same sheet of music here,” he said.

From fall to winter, students needing urgent help dropped from 38 percent to 23 percent as a result.

Board Member Chris Nation said he likes that Grove is thinking out of the box to help students.

“Thank you for your creative solutions for kids,” he said.

Lundberg said he likes how Grove respects students and treats them as part of the system.

“You’re building systems for student learning that address the whole child,” he said.

In other school board news:

•Marysville Strawberry Festival candidates gave presentations at the meeting. They are: Amelia Belmont, Callie Burkett, Savanna DeMello, Kennedy Doty, Emily Gregg, Kerragyn Heacock, Kirsten Lindblom, Abraham Lopez, Isabella Raynaud and Mikyla Shumway.

Royalty coordinator Melva Walser said: “They are stellar candidates. We couldn’t ask for a better performance.”

Lundberg added: “This is a pretty impressive group. Thank you for caring about our city.”