Great Lakes principal touts large gains on state tests, says staff feel 'rejuvenated' after consolidation

Ryan Harrelson, principal of Great Lakes Elementary School, told the Superior School District Board of Education on Jan. 13, 2025, that the school posted substantial gains on the state forward assessment and that staff morale is high following last year’s transitions.

Harrelson told the board the school’s combined advanced and proficient rate rose to roughly 69% in the most recent spring results, compared with a state average cited of about 52%, and that nearly 97% of students scored in the top three categories when basic is included. He highlighted gains among low-socioeconomic students — nearly 60% scoring advanced or proficient in Harrelson’s figures — and said special-education students improved from single-digit advanced scores in 2019 to about 28% advanced or proficient in 2024.

The data, Harrelson said, matters because it shows the district can accelerate learning after major changes. "I'm really, really proud of that," he said, pointing to the improvements in subgroup performance. He added later, "I think we're gonna have a golden age in superior education here in the next decade, so let's, let's get to it." Harrelson said he felt "flying high right now" about the school's momentum.

Harrelson attributed the gains to intentional transition work after the closure of Lake Superior Elementary School and to schoolwide emphasis on PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports), routines, and teacher collaboration. He described a well-attended welcome-back picnic, a school song premiere, volunteer partnerships with United Presbyterian Church that support reading and a garden, and family events as part of the improvement work.

Harrelson also discussed classroom-level supports and staffing: he thanked district staff who supported the school and said the district had approved adding another special-education teacher to reduce caseloads and strengthen behavioral supports. He said winter testing is under way and that he will present additional data and the school’s CIP (continuous improvement plan) at a future meeting.

The presentation included several community-facing events planned for the semester (an eagle visit sponsored by the PTO, a student transition program, and student council activities), which Harrelson said would continue building school culture as cohorts change.

The board did not take formal action on the update; members thanked Harrelson and encouraged continued school visits and reporting to the board.