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Bemidji district shows modest assessment gains; science results pending
Summary
Superintendent staff presented 2024–25 district assessment results: enrollment down to 4,722, MCA math proficiency near state average, reading slightly below state, FastBridge growth positive, and district science results delayed.
Colleen (district assessment lead) presented the Bemidji Public School District’s 2024–25 assessment summary to the school board on Sept. 15, reporting enrollment, MCA results, FastBridge growth and graduation figures.
The district’s Oct. 1, 2024, enrollment was reported at 4,722, down from 4,812 the prior year. The district’s MCA math proficiency was 46%, slightly above the state at 45.7%; MCA reading proficiency was 47.7%, below the state at 50.2. Colleen noted subgroup results and called out Horace May, Lincoln and Northern elementary schools as more than 9–10 percentage points above the state average in math or reading proficiency.
"Our 10/01/2024 data show that our enrollment to be at 4,722," Colleen said. She also summarized subgroup performance (special education, free-and-reduced, American Indian, Hispanic, African American, white and multiracial groups) and compared each to statewide percentages provided in the report.
FastBridge growth measures showed districtwide improvements from fall to spring in both reading and math benchmark scores; Colleen reported a decrease in the number of students in the high-risk skill range and growth in the number of students in the solid-skill area.
Colleen said MCA science results remain delayed and were not available at the meeting. On graduation rates, the districtwide rate (including Bemidji High School, Lumberjack High, First City and AEC) stood at 74.8% versus the statewide 84.2%; Bemidji High School alone was listed at 80.6%.
District leaders said their improvement focus remains Tier 1 instruction, aligning assessments with priority standards and continuing professional development. Colleen said schools that are substantially above the state typically show 2–3% gains year to year and that the district plans to continue what it described as a multi-year effort.
Board members asked for questions and thanked staff for the work. Colleen and other administrators noted the transient student population affected graduation trends and that more time and continued implementation of curriculum and instruction work are needed to sustain gains.
