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Box Elder highlights grants, rising AP and literacy scores and expands CTE capstone (CAPS) program
Summary
District staff and partners presented Walmart and Nucor classroom grants, reported a 69% AP pass rate with 600 exams taken, highlighted improved K–5 literacy and math benchmark gains, and described a new CAPS capstone program with industry mentors and eight students set for second trimester.
District leaders and external partners used the meeting to showcase philanthropic support, assessment gains and new CTE programming.
Nucor representatives Tara Buckway and Capri Austin presented about $22,000 in STEM and classroom grants for teachers and classrooms across the district and described their enthusiasm for funding local educators. Presenters and administrators also recognized Walmart-supported grants and distributed multiple awards to teachers for classroom materials and projects.
Assessment director Jeff Morris reviewed evidence-of-learning data, reporting a 69% overall AP pass rate from approximately 600 exams taken by 555 students and year-over-year growth in participation and pass rates in many subject areas. Morris and administrators highlighted strong literacy gains in kindergarten through fifth grade, including first-grade benchmark increases and improved second-grade growth, which district staff attributed in part to all-day kindergarten and sustained instructional strategies.
CTE director Ben Wiley described the recently launched CAPS (capstone) program operating in partnership with neighboring districts and Bridgerland/Cache providers. CAPS is a project-based pathway where seniors work with industry mentors on real business projects; Wiley said eight students are slated for second-trimester enrollment with plans to expand pathways (education, engineering, computer science, manufacturing and agriculture). "CAPS does not have a traditional classroom environment," Wiley said, describing pods, 3-D printers, engravers and industry mentorship.
Transportation director Jason Sparks reported that schedule adjustments allowed the district to guarantee later bus return times for elementary trips, moving many trips out of April and May and increasing average trip mileage by about 40%, giving students longer educational outings.
Board members praised teachers and staff for the results, thanked donors and emphasized partnerships with industry and higher education to sustain academic and CTE growth.
