Schools
Natick MCAS Results: Schools Perform Above State Average
Natick MCAS scores were higher than the state average for meeting or exceeding expectations on all tests.
NATICK, MA — Massachusetts released the results for the latest round of MCAS tests, and the number of Natick students meeting or exceeding expectations topped state averages on all 19 assessments. The state uses the tests as a key guide to performance of its schools and as part of its effort to bring accountability to the education system.
The district was classified as making "substantial progress towards targets," and "partially meeting targets."This designations means the district will not require intervention from the state. The district received a two-year cumulative rating of 69 percent for progress toward meeting targets. This designation means the district does not require intervention from the state.
Natick Public Schools Superintendent Anna Nolin said while she is proud of the students and staff, the district needs time to dive into the results and data. The district's analysis of the results will be presented at the Oct. 7 school committee meeting.
Find out what's happening in Natickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"The heart of our work is in building student literacy skills through a rigorous reading and writing curriculum which we have revamped in the past three years, " Nolin said, "If these are early returns on our investment, we are pleased — but digging in deeper is required before we make too many conclusions."
The district has a five year strategic plan designed to elevate student achievement, address achievement gaps in student sub groups and make the transition to the new STEM and social studies curricula, Nolin said.
Find out what's happening in Natickfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
This is the second year of the state's accountability system, marketed as a more "comprehensive look" at districts and schools in specific. The designations are given based on how districts and schools perform in six different categories:
- MCAS achievement in English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Science/Technology/Engineering (STE)
- MCAS growth in ELA and Math
- High school completion rates
- Progress toward English language proficiency for English learners
- Chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of a student's membership)
- High school advanced coursework completion.
On the new, more rigorous English exam for 10th-graders, 77 percent of Natick High School students exceeded or met expectations — above the 61 percent statewide. On a tougher math exam for 10th-graders, 78 percent of Natick students exceeded or met expectations, above the 59 percent who met that mark across Massachusetts.
The state rolled out "next generation" tests in 2019, which have much higher expectations, especially in math and English. Thankfully for students, the state is taking that into account when determining passing scores. For the next two years, the passing score will be at the upper end of the "not meeting expectations" category.
Check out how all the Natick schools did on the 2019 MCAS test below:
Bennett-Hemenway Elementary School
| Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (Grades 3-8) | 12 percent | 55 percent | 30 percent | 3 percent |
| Math (Grades 3-8) | 17 percent | 43 percent | 33 percent | 6 percent |
Brown Elementary School
| Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (Grades 3-8) | 24 percent | 50 percent | 20 percent | 7 percent |
| Math (Grades 3-8) | 17 percent | 48 percent | 28 percent | 7 percent |
Johnson Elementary School
| Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (Grades 3-8) | 17 percent | 62 percent | 21 percent | 0 percent |
| Math (Grades 3-8) | 14 percent | 60 percent | 20 percent | 6 percent |
Lilja Elementary School
| Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (Grades 3-8) | 17 percent | 55 percent | 27 percent | 1 percent |
| Math (Grades 3-8) | 16 percent | 41 percent | 40 percent | 3 percent |
Memorial Elementary School
| Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (Grades 3-8) | 22 percent | 55 percent | 21 percent | 2 percent |
| Math (Grades 3-8) | 24 percent | 53 percent | 22 percent | 1 percent |
John F. Kennedy Middle School
| Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English (Grades 3-8) | 13 percent | 53 percent | 31 percent | 3 percent |
| Math (Grades 3-8) | 15 percent | 52 percent | 29 percent | 4 percent |
| Science(Grades 5 and 8) | 11 percent | 47 percent | 37 percent | 4 percent |
Wilson Middle School
Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations |
|---|
Did Not Meet Expectations
Natick High School Grade 10 Math and English
Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | 12 percent | 67 percent | 19 percent | 2 percent |
| Math | 25 percent | 55 percent | 18 percent | 2 percent |
Natick High School Grade 10 Science
| Subject | Exceeded Expectations | Met Expectations | Partially Met Expectations | Did Not Meet Expectations |
| Science | 63 percent | 33 percent | 4 percent | 1 percent |
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