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Loyola principal reports gains in reading proficiency, highlights belonging efforts and science showcase
Summary
Principal Beverly Nelson told the board that Loyola (an online-to-hybrid program serving grades 5–8) is showing midyear improvements in reading proficiency and outlined efforts to boost students’ sense of belonging; Nelson invited board members to a science fair and said she expects proficiency measures to continue improving by year end.
Beverly Nelson, principal of Loyola (Los Alamos Public Schools’ online‑to‑hybrid program serving grades 5–8), presented a midyear school report to the board on Jan. 14, outlining academic progress and student engagement efforts.
Nelson said several grade bands showed reading proficiency improvements between the start and middle of the school year: she reported 7th‑grade reading at 100% and said 5th‑grade reading increased from 60% to 75%. Nelson attributed some fluctuations to midyear enrollment changes and noted math proficiency figures reflected those enrollment shifts.
“We are fully expect to see 100% all green across by the end of the year,” Nelson said, describing teacher efforts and individualized supports. She also described an active plan to increase students’ sense of belonging — a Panorama survey showed lower belonging scores among older students — by offering incentives (for example, bonus classroom points) tied to attendance at school events and activities.
Nelson gave examples of Loyola’s experiential learning: a science project showcase this week and a planned walking field trip to the Bradbury Science Museum after the science fair. She said Loyola offers electives such as American Sign Language and podcasting and will introduce a “passion project” module to help students set and pursue personal goals.
On enrollment, Nelson said Loyola’s current cohort is smaller than in prior years and that a handful of students returned to in‑person school or transferred for social reasons; she said no students had left the district as a result of Loyola placement. She asked the board for support as the program continues to grow and noted a need for updated Chromebooks as an equipment priority.
Teacher Mrs. Grego and Coach Johnson (Marshie Johnson) also spoke in support of Loyola’s model, stressing that the program provides relationship‑focused instruction and on‑campus experiences that differ from the district’s COVID remote model.
Nelson invited board members to the Loyola science fair on Friday and said teachers and staff welcome observers and volunteers.
