Minnewaska Area Schools Excel in Statewide Assessments

Glenwood, MN – Minnewaska Area Schools (MAS) have shown impressive performance in the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), surpassing statewide averages and ranking competitively among schools in the region. The district continues to demonstrate academic excellence through focused curriculum alignment and ongoing student assessments.

“The district has spent significant time aligning its curriculum to state standards,” says Chip Rankin, MAS Superintendent. “The recent investments in curriculum materials ensure that teachers are delivering instruction that means the requirements set forth by Minnesota education guidelines,” he continues. “The investment into this curriculum and enhanced teacher training has is paying off, we have seen steady test score improvement across multiple grades.”

Key Highlights:

• Outstanding Performance on MCAs:
  • Reading proficiency for grades 3-8 and 10 exceeded the state average by 6%.
  • Math proficiency (grades 3-8, 11) was 14.7% above the state average.
  • Science proficiency (grades 5, 8, 10) was 10.4% higher than the state average.
• Regional Comparison:
  • Among 23 schools in the surrounding area:
    • Math ranked 3rd
    • Reading ranked 5th
    • Science ranked 4th
  • When compared to 11 schools with similar demographics:
    • Math ranked 4th
    • Reading ranked 6th
    • Science ranked 5th

Strategic Initiatives Leading to Success: MAS credits its success to several key strategies implemented over the past few years including curriculum alignment, collaborative curriculum development, and ongoing assessments.

Sarah Suchy, MAS Elementary Principal says, “These results reflect our district’s commitment to providing high-quality education and ensuring that our curriculum and teaching methods meet state standards. Our teachers’ dedication to using assessments as a tool for guiding instruction is a testament to our focus on student growth.”