Lake Superior School District has much to celebrate following the public release of the 2025–26 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) results. While state assessments are only one measure of student learning, this year’s results show encouraging student achievement in several important areas, particularly in elementary reading.
Districtwide reading proficiency was 47.9%, compared with 48.6% statewide, with particularly strong results at the elementary level. Students in every grade from Grades 3–6 performed above the state average in reading. Minnehaha Elementary achieved 59.9% reading proficiency, more than 11 percentage points above the state rate, while William Kelley Elementary achieved 53.1% proficiency, also above the statewide rate.
Students receiving special education services also demonstrated strong reading outcomes. 35.6% of district students receiving special education services were proficient in reading, compared with 25.5% statewide. Students receiving Free/Reduced Price Lunch also performed above their statewide peers in reading.
“We have a lot to celebrate in these results,” Superintendent Gina Kleive said. “Our students and staff have worked incredibly hard and it is encouraging to see strong results across multiple grades and student groups. At the same time, we know state assessments are only one measure of student learning.”
The results come after two years of intensive professional development in the science of reading for the District’s elementary and special education staff. Lake Superior School District has also implemented FastBridge and Capti ReadBasix screening and strengthened data-review processes to help teachers better understand student needs and provide targeted instruction and intervention. Secondary teachers are now beginning Phase 2 professional development focused on the science of reading.
Math and science results showed both areas of strength and opportunities for continued improvement. In math, Grades 3 and 4 performed above the state average, while William Kelley Elementary achieved an overall math proficiency rate of 59.1%, more than 14 percentage points above the state rate. Secondary math remains an area for continued focus. In science, Grade 5 performance was on par with the state, while Grade 8 and students receiving special education demonstrated encouraging areas of progress.
The District’s ongoing instructional work is closely aligned with its 2024–2029 Strategic Plan and the focus area of Student Growth, Achievement, and Support. The plan emphasizes implementation of the Minnesota READ Act, strengthening Professional Learning Communities, providing students with high-quality content and instruction, and continuing to develop the District’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MnMTSS).
Over the past two school years, the District has intentionally worked to embed the MnMTSS framework into its instructional practices. Assessment, data-based decision making, and layered supports based on student need are central components of that work and are explicitly identified in the District’s Strategic Plan.
School Leadership Teams will take a deeper look at MCA/MTAS results alongside other student achievement data to identify areas of strength, opportunities for growth, and next instructional steps.
“We are encouraged by the progress our students are making and excited to build on that momentum,” Kleive said. “Our staff remain focused on knowing who their students are, understanding where they are in their academic progress, and responding to what they need to continue learning and growing.”
