Gateway School District students in the elementary and middle schools improved their scores on statewide assessment tests taken in the 2015-16 school year compared to the previous year, according to data the state released last month.

“We’re heading toward the right direction … but there’s always room for improvement,” said Chad Stubenbort, Gateway school board president.

Scores for students taking the annual Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests at three of the district’s four elementary schools — Evergreen, Ramsey and Dr. Cleveland Steward Jr. — showed at least one year’s worth of growth, or close to it, according to the state Department of Education.

The PSSA tests provide an understanding of student and school performance related to attaining proficiency in reading, math and science and technology, the Department of Education states on its website.

Students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in their knowledge of reading and math. Students in grades 4 and 8 are assessed in science.

Students at Evergreen Elementary showed a growth range of 100 in reading and math, and 88 in science, the highest among the four elementary schools. The 100 number indicates significant growth, while 75 indicates at least one year’s worth of growth in the subject, the department said.

At Evergreen Elementary, 64.5 percent of the students scored proficient or advanced in reading; 59.6 percent in math; and 89.8 percent in science. Percentages for students who were proficient or advanced were greater at Evergreen Elementary than at any of the other schools.

“It’s really great to see the scores to reflect the growth the students have made,” said Evergreen Principal Michael Matteo. “At least the state is recognizing what we are doing.”

The district is working to improve its scores, Matteo said.

“We are aligning our courses to better suit what the state is expecting,” Matteo said.

At Steward Elementary, the following percentages of students were advanced or proficient: 57.1 in reading; 58 in math; and 80.8 in science.

At Ramsey Elementary, the percentages of students who scored proficient or advanced were: 60.3 in reading; 62 in math; and 78.9 in science.

Students at University Park Elementary showed growth ranges of 56 percent in reading, 59 percent in math and 60 percent in science. Scores as low as 50 percent indicate that the achievement level of the students was not maintained.

But those students had the highest percentages among the elementary schools, related to students who scored proficient or advanced in reading – 71.3; and math – 67.3. In science, 71.1 percent scored proficient or advanced, the lowest percentage among the four elementary schools.

A new principal, Jennifer Hoffner, was appointed to lead University Park Elementary, Stubenbort said.

Students at Gateway and Moss Side middle schools also showed at least one year’s worth of growth in all subjects, the data showed. At Gateway, the science scores showed a significant level of growth, scoring 100.

The lowest percentages of students who scored advanced or proficient in the middle and elementary schools were recorded in math at both middle schools. Only 32.7 percent of students achieved advanced or proficient status at Gateway, and Moss Side had 34.7 percent.

Other Gateway proficient or advanced scores were as follows: 46.9 in reading and 71.1 in science.

At Moss Side, 62.8 percent of students scored proficient or advanced in reading.

Joe Napsha is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-836-5252 or jnapsha@tribweb.com.

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