Legacy Academy principal reports midyear NWEA gains after curriculum, instruction shift

Legacy Academy Principal Tony Verjink told the Elizabeth School District Board of Education on March 24 that the charter school has seen “substantial growth gains” on midyear NWEA (MAP) testing after changing curriculum and instructional expectations.

Verjink said Legacy moved away from the largely digital curriculum it had used and introduced an instructional framework this school year that emphasizes direct, explicit instruction, new core curriculum choices and regular progress monitoring. “We made our goal: 60th percentile growth for math and reading,” Verjink said of the school’s target, then added, “By the end of the year, we’re at 60th–70th percentile” for midyear measures compared with the prior full year.

The school reported the largest individual gains in reading after adopting Benchmark Advanced and tightened teacher planning, checks for understanding, and progress monitoring. Verjink said math instruction has moved toward a stronger core (he said the school is using Saxon math while searching for a permanent math curriculum). Classroom practice now mixes digital tools with more pencil-and-paper work for younger grades, he said, to preserve digital skills used on state tests while restoring basic direct instruction.

Executive Director Merlin Holmes thanked the board and the district’s superintendent for partnership. Verjink described other school changes: a move toward “self-managing classrooms,” clearer learning objectives, and more structured formative checks that he said have helped students who had been “struggling for quite a few years.” He said some classrooms showed growth in the 80th percentile for individual students, and reading growth was lifting achievement measures overall.

Board members asked timing and implementation questions. Verjink said the direct-instruction shift began this school year and that the executive director joined the school in November; the school is continuing to monitor spring data and adjust curriculum choices, especially in science where the school plans additional review. Verjink and Holmes said the school will continue using iPads for some instruction because state testing is digital, but the balance of tasks has shifted toward teacher-led instruction.

The board thanked Legacy’s leaders for the presentation and noted the district will include Legacy’s data in its broader review of district progress.

Ending: Legacy’s leaders said spring testing and end-of-year MAP results will give a fuller picture of whether midyear gains continue; the board and district staff said they will continue to monitor outcomes and curriculum alignment across the district.