Students and families weren’t seeing birds or planes when they looked up in the sky at Santa Barbara’s Franklin Elementary Thursday evening.

Instead, they saw Principal Casie Killgore camping out on the roof of the school building.

Kilgore promised her students in May that she would sleep on the roof if they raised the school’s state test scores above 50%.

The kids met the challenge and the principal climbed on the roof and set up camp.

“I am so grateful to be part of a wonderful team that works diligently to help students progress academically and emotionally,” Kilgore said.

“This is only a little token to celebrate our staff, families, and students who believe in the work we do daily to make their students lifelong successful learners,” she said.

Students, families, teachers and staff gathered, laughing and watching Kilgore make herself at home.

Musicians and free food were available to those on the ground, who were waiving to the principal.

“We love the creative way Casie inspired her students to improve test scores,” said Superintendent Hilda Maldonado. “It’s critical to have joyous school environments to make students feel excited and welcome to learn and this event did just that.

“I want to congratulate our Franklin students, teachers and staff who worked so hard to make this goal a reality.”

Franklin was one of several schools that saw test score improvements in preliminary California English and Math Test results. 

Cleveland, Harding, Santa Barbara Community Academy, Washington, La Cumbre, and Santa Barbara Junior High all had notable growths in English language arts and/or math.

Test scores are still being finalized, and final numbers will be released this fall in October.