On Tuesday, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released this past spring’s MCAS results. As returning families and staff at Alma will recall, our focus last year was on establishing a strong foundation for productive and accelerated learning at both campuses. We are incredibly proud of the way in which our team came together to prioritize this even beyond the classroom walls, whether it was through targeted reading groups, math tutoring, or enriching afterschool activities.
The spring 2025 MCAS show a modest rebound in most grades compared to 2024, though we know there is much more work to do. Network-wide, 29% of Alma 3rd-8th grade scholars passed the Math state test (up from 27% in 2024) and 29% passed the ELA state test (up from 25% in 2024). These modest increases reflect statewide trends in academic recovery.
“While our recent state test results do not reflect the full potential we see in our scholars, they do reinforce the urgency of our work,” said Alexa Teevens, Alma’s Director of Curriculum & Instruction. “Our goals and expectations remain as high as ever, and we are doubling down on our efforts to ensure every scholar is known, supported, and challenged. We believe deeply in our young people, and we look forward to continuing to grow together this year.”
Although this year’s results fell short of our broader goals, we’re encouraged by the growth seen in key subjects and grade levels—especially in comparison to last year. These gains affirm that our efforts are making a meaningful difference for many scholars across our schools.
- At Ottiwell, our scholars beat the state average in 3rd grade Math, 8th grade Math, and 8th grade ELA
- There was strong Student Growth at Ottiwell in 5th and 6th grade ELA and in 6th and 8th grade Math.
One strong indicator of progress is our scholars’ Student Growth Percentile (SGP)—a measure of how much a student has learned over the past year compared to academic peers across Massachusetts. Scores between the 40th and 60th percentiles reflect moderate growth, and many Alma scholars exceeded that benchmark:
- Ottiwell Campus scholars in grades 4–8 achieved an average SGP of 57 in ELA and 51 in Math.
- Standout growth in 5th and 6th grade, with Math SGPs of 55 and 68, and ELA SGPs of 68 and 64.
- Douglass Campus scholars posted an average SGP of 46 in ELA and 48 in Math.
- Strong growth in 4th and 8th grade, with Math SGPs of 57 and 53, and ELA SGPs of 57 and 48.
These SGP scores reflect the exceptional academic growth our scholars are making—even when overall proficiency rates remain a work in progress. We are also pleased to see demonstrable progress in the areas of English Proficiency and Chronic Absenteeism.
MCAS data enables us to understand school-level, grade-level, and individual scholar-level needs with detail – and to then address those needs with intentionality. To accelerate academic recovery and ensure continued growth, Alma del Mar is implementing the following strategic practices this year:
- Early Literacy: A yearlong coaching arc with leaders and teachers focused on improving data-driven interventions and stabilizing phonics curriculum.
- Math: Weekly data cycles and mixed review lessons led by curriculum leaders to ensure timely intervention on unmastered content.
- Our Network Director of Scholar Support is overseeing a yearlong arc of learning for all staff on better supporting our multilingual learners in their speaking development. Our ACCESS data shows that reading, writing, and listening are relative strengths for our MLL scholars, with speaking as the lowest domain. While this work is targeted at our MLLs, it will have a positive impact on all scholars.
These efforts are part of Alma del Mar’s broader Strategic Plan (2025–2029), approved by the Alma’s Board of Trustees in May 2025, which aims to prepare 100% of 8th graders for high school success.
Last year, Alma enrolled 1,044 children — who come to Alma from across New Bedford through a lottery — in grades K-8. They represent the racial and socioeconomic diversity of the city: 61% of Alma scholars identify as Latinx, 16% identify as Black, and 87% meet the “high needs” criteria as determined by the state. English Language Learners and Former English Language Learners make up 38% of the school’s population.
Alma del Mar’s full MCAS results, as well as the statewide passing rates, are below: