Increase in Academic Achievements Observed Amongst Midlakes Students
Midlakes Schools have reported impressive gains in student proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, surpassing the state average. According to the latest data, the graduation rate in Midlakes Schools recently surpassed 95%.
In Math, while scores have climbed, there is still room for improvement. In Grades 3-6, Math proficiency rose by 6 points, reaching 34%. A more substantial increase was observed in Grades 7-8, where Math proficiency increased by 13 points, reaching 51%.
The largest jump in student proficiency was observed in elementary ELA, where the percentage of students reaching proficiency rose from 28% to 43%. Middle school students also saw big improvements, with ELA proficiency in Grades 7-8 rising to 49%.
Teachers and administrators credit consistent instruction, new curriculum tools, and family engagement for the progress. Principal Chris Moyer emphasizes the district's focus on teaching to the standards and providing a guaranteed and viable curriculum. The district uses Reading Horizons and the American Reading Company to build reading foundations at the elementary level, with Reading Horizons focusing on decoding skills.
Interventionist Emily Mischler notes a 15-point increase in middle school ELA proficiency, compared to less than a one-point gain statewide. Superintendent Nick Ganster attributes the progress to parent and student efforts, as well as mathematics and reading programs and intervention strategies.
For veteran staff like Aceto, the academic results reflect years of growth and change in Midlakes Schools. Elementary Principal Chris Moyer is proud of the hard work of students and staff in achieving the academic goals. The district's focus on providing extra support for students who require a little extra help has paid off, with Midlakes offering reading help for students even above the typical cutoff for intervention.
Superintendent Nick Ganster also attributes the progress to how the district uses time, with lessons being reinforced by families outside of the school day. FingerLakes1.com, the region's leading all-digital news publication, founded in 1998 and keeping residents informed for over two decades, reported on these achievements.
Teachers in Midlakes Schools are developing new benchmarks to track progress throughout the year. While there is still room for improvement in Math, the district's focus on ELA has yielded significant results. The improvement in elementary ELA is nearly double the statewide improvement, making Midlakes Schools a shining example of academic progress in the region.
