Sioux Falls reports nine‑year high graduation rate, upward growth in ELA and math
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
The Sioux Falls School District presented its 2024–25 academic report showing an on‑time graduation rate near 89 percent, an ACT average of 22.5, three‑year upward growth trends in ELA and math, and an ongoing assessment review to reduce redundancies in testing.
Dr. Zeke presented the district’s 2024–25 academic report and state report card to the Sioux Falls School District board, noting the district’s on‑time graduation rate reached roughly 89 percent — the highest in nine years — and that the district’s ACT average is 22.5.
The presentation highlighted a three‑year upward trend in student growth for students below proficiency — gains in ELA and math that show learners catching up over time. Dr. Zeke flagged mixed subject results across grades: ELA holding near 50 percent on state assessments, math up about 1 percent, and a dip in science at some grade levels. He attributed improvements to expanded online programming, summer recovery, MTSS/PBIS supports, student support teams, the Career and Technical Education Academy pathways and teacher coaching.
Dr. Zeke said 31 percent of ELL students are on track to exit services and that the district is forming an assessment review team to examine whether the district is testing too much; that team began in October and will meet monthly starting Nov. 20 with reports to the board anticipated.
The board asked for clarification on eleventh‑grade science and the drivers of upper‑grade math gains; Dr. Zeke cited professional development and curriculum work. The superintendent and board praised district growth and acknowledged ongoing priorities: sustaining attendance improvements, narrowing achievement gaps, and continuing curriculum studies in math and ELA. The board voted to acknowledge the academic report.