Quantcast

East Twin Cities

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Did South Washington County Schools District students succeed or flounder in their 2023-24 science tests?

Webp 63af4ad33ec0732ll fotor 1635

Willie Jett Commissioner of Education Minnesota Department of Education | Office of Gov. Tim Walz

Willie Jett Commissioner of Education Minnesota Department of Education | Office of Gov. Tim Walz

In South Washington County Schools District 42.1% of the students passed the science portion of the MCA test in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.

The MCA and the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are the state tests that help districts measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and also meet federal and state legislative requirements. The tests cover math, reading and science, depending on the grade that is being tested. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet eligibility requirements may take the MTAS instead.

The success rate among South Washington County Schools District students fell by 3.3% from the previous school year.

South Washington County Schools District roughly covers schools within Washington County and has a main office in Cottage Grove.

The MCA is given annually to Minnesota students to determine the academic readiness of students. Not every grade is tested each year.

According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Minnesota's fourth graders scored 241 in math, just above the national average of 237. Their reading score of 216 was on par with the U.S. average, but shows a slight decline over recent years. Eighth graders scored 284 in math and 264 in reading, both above the national averages. 

However, despite these results, both grade levels remain below pre-pandemic levels in math and reading.

South Washington County Schools' Students Proficiency in Science Over 4 Years

2020-212021-222022-232023-240102030405060MinnesotaSouth Washington County Schools

Students Who Met or Exceeded Academic Standards in Science During 2023-24 School Year

School NameStudents Who Met Standards (%)Students Who Exceed Standards (%)
Cottage Grove Middle School18.4%3.9%
Pullman Elementary School35.6%0%
Oltman Middle School23.6%3%
Park High School26.5%7.4%
Woodbury Elementary School37.1%2.3%
Gordon Bailey Elementary School37.4%5.1%
Crestview Elementary School36.1%0%
Red Rock Elementary School42.3%4.5%
Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Elementary School46.5%1.4%
Pine Hill Elementary School31.7%6.1%
Woodbury Middle School31.8%5.9%
Woodbury High School36.8%10.3%
Newport Elementary School47.1%2.9%
Armstrong Elementary School40.4%9.6%
Cottage Grove Elementary School41.6%6.5%
Lake Middle School34.1%9.5%
Royal Oaks Elementary School46.3%4.2%
Grey Cloud Elementary School43.7%5.6%
East Ridge High School40.6%10.6%
Middleton Elementary School43.7%4.9%
Liberty Ridge Elementary School51.3%8.4%
Hillside Elementary School47.8%10.5%
Valley Crossing Elementary School60.8%11.1%
South Washington Alternative High School----
SoWashCo Online 9-12----

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS