Clayton High earns rare Cognia score; reviewers flag digital learning and student voice for growth

Clayton School District leaders presented findings from a Cognia continuous-improvement review of Clayton High School, saying the school received an overall Cognia score well above the organization's average and was singled out for a "noteworthy achievement" in staff and student well-being.

The presentation summarized a year-long, multi-method review that included stakeholder surveys, 40 classroom observations using the ELLIOT observational tool, and analysis of student performance data (SAT and end-of-course scores). Craig Sukur, one of the lead writers of the review, read Cognia's finding that "Clayton High School sustains a culture where staff and learners well-being is at the heart of the institution's guiding principles." He and other presenters said the school's consolidated score was 320, compared with a global Cognia average of about 253.

Administrators told the board the review process is designed to inform the school improvement plan and help the district align programs and facilities with instructional goals. Dr. Patel introduced the item and said the external review complements state accreditation, offering "a much more holistic picture of a school's well-being" than metrics used for state accountability.

Dan, a district staff member who co-led the effort, described how the review combined four components: a student performance diagnostic focused on SAT and EOC results, stakeholder surveys of staff/families/students, Cognia's 30 performance standards, and the ELLIOT classroom-observation protocol. "We wanted to triangulate that data," he said, explaining the team used multiple data sources to identify themes that became findings, root causes and theories of action.

Sukur described the ELLIOT observations and other evidence the review used and said the team executed 40 classroom observations across Clayton High. He read the Cognia's summary that led to the "noteworthy achievement" designation and explained the review also produced areas for improvement.

Presenters highlighted two primary areas for growth. First, Cognia recommended expanding collaborative strategies that increase student voice and choice in classrooms; presenters said that aligned with earlier work on "empowered learning." Second, reviewers rated the district below national average on the review's digital-learning category. Sukur said the observation instrument includes indicators about access and frequency of technology use and that the review team debated how the instrument equates frequency with quality. "We have a healthy obsession about continuous improvement. We're doing the work, you know," Sukur said.

Board members asked how the Cognia process fits with Missouri's MSIP state accreditation. Dan and Sukur said MSIP is primarily accountability-focused and that Cognia's review provides deeper formative reflection to inform continuous-improvement work. The presenters noted the district will receive a full report and will use it to refine the high school's improvement plan; Paragon, the district's facilities consultant, will present the long-range facilities master plan at the next board meeting and presenters said facility decisions should align with program goals raised in the Cognia review.

The board did not take a vote on the Cognia presentation. Administrators said Paragon will present final facility recommendations at the next meeting, and the district will share the full Cognia report with the board when it is complete.