Schools receive strong marks on performance profile

Even the very schools that issue report cards to students receive a report card yearly for themselves. Area schools Nodaway Valley and Orient-Macksburg each received theirs recently, based on several factors of student outcomes from last school year.

The Iowa School Performance Profiles are a yearly measuring stick school districts across the state are able to use to see how they’re doing. Results are primarily based upon student performance on standardized tests, which display proficiency and growth. High schools are also scored on measures like graduation rates and post-secondary readiness, Nodaway Valley Superintendent Dr. Pam Stangeland explained.

At NV, the high school and elementary scores each fall into the High Performing category, which is the second-highest tier of schools. The elementary school was in this category in 2022 while the high school has not performed this well since at least 2018. The middle school was listed as commendable this year, the third-highest tier.

“Recognizing the Iowa School Performance Profiles are a snapshot of data at one particular point in time, we are quite pleased with our student performance and our overall school ratings,” Stangeland said. “This data shows our teachers and staff are doing good things for kids. However, there is always room for improvement. Our administrative and leadership teams will use this information in planning professional learning opportunities ensuring that every student has the support needed to achieve at high levels.”

In their final school year of instruction as a district, Orient-Macksburg landed in the high performing category at the elementary and secondary level. This was the first time since 2019 their elementary school was in the high performing bracket. The result at the secondary level is a stark difference from just a few years ago, when the school was in the needs improvement category.

“The high performance is directly related to the culture created by Mr. Grandfield, principal, and the staff who worked cooperatively during a difficult time as the district moved toward dissolution,” O-M Superintendent Jeff Kruse said. “I want to express my deepest appreciation for working together to improve student academic performance to the O-M school board, staff and students.”