Monte Cristo Elementary reports low projected proficiency, sets targets for reading, math and attendance

At the Granite Falls School Board meeting, Principal Lynn of Monte Cristo Elementary presented school enrollment, demographic and assessment data and laid out school-improvement targets for reading, math and attendance.

Principal Lynn said the school is focusing on student achievement and social-emotional learning as staff implement a newly adopted reading curriculum, Amplify. "We continue to focus on increasing student achievement, especially with a new adopted reading curriculum, Amplify," Lynn said.

The presentation listed current enrollment and demographics: Monte Cristo has eight third-grade classrooms; the student body is 49.51% female and 50.49% male. Racial and ethnic figures presented were: two or more races 5.44%, Hispanic 14.76%, White 75%, African American 1.36%, American Indian 0.39% and Asian 1.75%. Program percentages presented included bilingual students 6.79%, free/reduced-price meals subgroup 36.5%, students experiencing homelessness 5.8%, students with disabilities 19.02%, Title program 4.27%, Learning Assistance Program (LAP) 20.38% and gifted program 0.77%.

Assessment projections and targets were a central focus. Lynn recounted I‑Ready “typical growth” projections that showed an estimated 32% proficiency in reading and 24% in math for third grade based on winter screeners. Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) projections shown in the presentation put third- and fourth-grade projected reading proficiency at about 29% and fifth grade at 37%. Math projections in the presentation were roughly 33% for third grade, 18% for fourth grade and 19% for fifth grade.

The school improvement plan targets included increasing the percentage of third- through fifth-grade students achieving annual typical growth in English/language arts from 57% to 70% and stretch growth from 24% to 40% by June 2025, as measured by I‑Ready. For mathematics, the plan aims to raise typical growth from 37% to 60% and stretch growth from 13% to 23% by June 2025. The attendance goal is that 80% of students attend at least 90% of school days; last year's rate cited in the presentation was 72.7%.

During board questions, third-grade teacher Miss Benison said targeted small-group instruction has produced gains in reading for students pulled out to Title services but noted those same students are not currently receiving comparable small-group math intervention: "I've seen huge gains this year. But those are the same kids that need help with math, and they're not getting pulled out into small group anymore," Benison said.

Board members and staff discussed how to interpret diagnostic screeners and projections. One board member noted that I‑Ready projections are based on a January screening and do not account for instruction between the screen and spring state tests; district staff confirmed that the projection is not a final score but a midyear indicator.

The Monte Cristo team said they will use small literacy groups, data chats and targeted math groupings to pursue the improvement goals and emphasized collaboration among leadership teams, families and community partners. The presenter identified Megan Rice as the lead for attendance efforts and acknowledged recent classrooms with perfect daily attendance.

The presentation closed with board members urging continued focus on instructional minutes and delivery of targeted interventions.

Ending: The board did not take a separate formal vote on the Monte Cristo presentation; the item was a staff report and question-and-answer session.