Mystic Valley Students Ace MCAS

Note: The following was submitted by Martin Gately of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School.

Once again, students at the scored among the top schools in the Commonwealth on the annual MCAS exams.

Mystic Valley’s high school was ranked 32^nd of 289 districts in the state in both the ELA and Math exams. No failing grades were given in English or Science to any of the 10^th graders taking the exam, and only 1% of the students taking the exams did not pass the Math exam.

96% of the 10^th grade students taking the ELA scored "advanced" or "proficient" and 91% of the students who took the 10^th grade Math exam scored "advanced" or "proficient."

Mystic Valley officials were pleased with the results. Seeing that year in and year out Mystic Valley students are performing well on the 10^th grade scores show that Mystic Valley’s curriculum from Kindergarten on is working as the tests are cumulative in nature and a good measure of the education the children are receiving by 10^th grade.

98% of all Mystic Valley students from grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 received a passing grade on the ELA portions of the exam, and 93% of those students received a passing grade in Math.

Mystic Valley’s students received the highest grades in school history on the: 3^rd grade ELA; 3^rd grade Math; 4^th grade ELA; 5^th grade ELA; 5^th grade Math; 7^th grade ELA and 10^th grade Math exams and 90% of the 7^th graders taking the ELA exam scored advanced or proficient. 2011 was the first year in which Mystic Valley’s 3^rd grade scores were better than the scores of all six of its sending districts.

Comparing each grade’s scores to Mystic Valley’s past classes shows that the scores at the lower grade levels are improving which bodes well for future 10^th grade scores to continue to be high.  

George Benzie, Assistant Director for Grades 9-12, after reviewing the results, stated that:”we continue to be impressed with the work ethic of our students and the dedication of our teachers. Mystic Valley prides itself on providing a world class education. The latest MCAS results solidify our resolve and tell us that we are doing something right”.