Park County School District 1’s scores continue to stay above the state average.

The district’s WYTOPP data from the 2021-2022 academic year through the 2023-2024 academic year shows that Powell is growing above the state, said Jason Sleep, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, during an early April board meeting.

In English Language Arts (ELA) Powell was above the state by 11 points in 2018-2019. Now, at 70% proficient or advanced the 2023-2024 scores show a district that’s 17 points above the state, which has a 53% average. 

The 2023-2024 scores are three points above the district’s pre Covid stats.

“[English Language Arts] has been the focus in our district … for quite a while,” Sleep said.

The state is steady and still making growth, he added.

This is the first time the district average has hit 70% proficient or advanced, Sleep told the Tribune. He attributes the milestone in part to growth at the high school and strong performances from fifth and seventh grade classes in the district. 

“We have a pretty good approach, we have amazing teachers, and I think the professional development that we're providing, and the leadership that we have is really driving that at all levels,” Sleep told the board in April. 

At the elementary level the district has put a lot of effort into balanced literacy while also incorporating a reading system used by only a handful of districts in the state.

The district has a good approach, teachers, professional development and leadership, he added. 

In math, the district’s numbers are not going up or down, but like ELA, Powell is exceeding the state level at 65% proficient advanced, 14 points above the state average of 51%. While Powell’s numbers are holding, the state’s numbers are going down. 

Science will be the district's focus, Sleep told the board, as a chart provided by Sleep shows a 7% drop from the 2021-2022 academic year and a 1% drop between 2022-2023 scores. But, the district’s average of 60%
proficient or advanced is still above the state average of 48%.

Textbooks for science have been approved at the high school level that have a higher rigor for students, Sleep said.

“I feel like we're going to get some more opportunities where kids can really show their stuff,” Sleep said. “So I feel like that's going to grow quite a bit as well.”

While there has been some variability in the school’s year to year scores, cohorts (a group of students over time) are showing growth and Sleep is happy with the district’s growth over time, while noting there’s always something to improve.

“It seems like every year, there's a different challenge which keeps all of us sharp. We have to stay sharp. Our teachers are very much engaged in what those scores say. I think that's what makes us stronger,” Sleep said. “You know what to do when you see a number that doesn't make you happy. We perform well for our kids and our kids try really hard, and that's what makes me proud of this place.”