We at Rocky Mountain Prep are excited to report on our 2016 PARCC results. While we are proud to say that our performance remains high and is improving in key areas, this data has also presented us with opportunities to improve.
As shown in the chart below, we continue to be the highest performing elementary school in Denver serving a majority of students eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL).
Math and ELA performance for schools with greater than 50% FRL students
In addition, we’ve seen improvements in some of our major focus areas. In 2015, 43% of our 3rd graders met or exceeded expectations in ELA, compared to 49% this year. This has outpaced improvement across DPS. As we made ELA growth a top priority for the 2015-16 school year, it is rewarding to the benefits of the hard work and dedication of our students, families, teachers and staff.
Comparing percentage of third graders meeting grade level expectations to the DPS average
We are also excited about the long-term impact of our educational model for our students. For every year a student remains at RMP, their performance increases significantly. 60% of students who have been at RMP for 4 years met or exceeded expectations in ELA, while only 37% of students in their first year did.
These gains also serve as inspiration to find new ways to strengthen our academic program. During the 2016-17 school year, we aim to:
- Continue to build on our ELA growth, as too many students are still below expectations
- Close the persistent gap in ELA mastery that our English Language Learners face
- Build out our support systems for students behind in ELA and Math
There is a lot to celebrate in our performance this year, as well as additional areas for growth. Our students deserve a school that continually adapts to their ever-changing needs, and we are working every day to ensure all our students receive an excellent education.
Sincerely,
James Cryan
CEO, Rocky Mountain Prep