Dr. John Sample
Proud Superintendent
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is required by state statute (Wis. Stat. 115.385) to generate a school report card and district report card for every publicly funded school and district in the state. The report cards are intended to help schools and districts use performance data to celebrate successes and improve their efforts to prepare students for their futures. These public report cards can be found online at: http://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards.
The current school report card is primarily based on last year’s performance during the 2020-21 school year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DPI encourages caution when interpreting scores and ratings on the 2020-21 report cards.
At the foundation of the report cards are four priority areas. Schools and districts receive a score for each priority area:
Achievement – proficiency in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics on the annual state assessments.
Growth – year-to-year progress in ELA and math achievement.
Target Group Outcomes – outcomes for students with the lowest test scores: the Target Group.
On-Track to Graduation – reliable predictors of how successfully students are progressing toward completing their K-12 education.
The priority area scores are aggregated into an overall accountability score, from 0 to 100. This score is displayed on the front page of the school or district report cards. It is important to note that the 0 to 100 accountability score is not a “percent correct” measurement. Based on its score, a school or district receives one of five rating categories, from Fails to Meet Expectations to Significantly Exceeds Expectations, as well as corresponding one to five stars.
I want to share these results with you because they help illuminate some of our successes and help pinpoint areas of focus in our district. But as DPI stresses, these report cards are just one source of information about our district and schools.
Despite COVID-19, Merrill Area Public Schools (MAPS) district again met the expectations set forth by the state on the 2020-2021 report card and improved the overall score as a district.
The Bridges Virtual Academy significantly exceeded expectations this year, solidifying its status as one of the highest rated virtual schools in Wisconsin. Merrill High School and Prairie River Middle School both met expectations. And despite the challenges our district faced confronting the pandemic, for the first time ever, all four of our elementary buildings have exceeded expectations!
Washington Elementary 70.9 Exceeds Expectations
Jefferson Elementary 72.5 Exceeds Expectations
Maple Grove Charter 77.6 Exceeds Expectations
Kate Goodrich Elementary 81.1 Exceeds Expectations
Prairie River Middle School 64.0 Meets Expectations
Merrill High School 67.1 Meets Expectations
Bridges Virtual Academy 85.6 Significantly Exceeds Expectations
Merrill School District 68.6 Meets Expectations
I specifically recall informing our Board, just prior to being hired, that it takes approximately five years to create significant change related to student achievement. Five years later I am very pleased with the improvement trend in our district as we have always aspired to higher levels of student performance.
“I am very pleased with the progress our district is making with student achievement. Our success is reflective of the dedication from staff and building administration. We are working hard to implement systems that enhance student success. Our recent scores are proof that we are doing the right work. Earlier plans, for virtual learning, have been successful, as evidenced by our improved School Report Cards. Merrill Area Public Schools have much to be celebrated!” commented Glenda Oginski, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.