Local elementary schools improved by leaps and bounds in the latest round of standardized testing, while Summit High School slipped on the SATs.
Results from the 2025 CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success) were just released, showing most of Summit’s youngest students did better in math and English. SAT results show high schoolers sinking below state average.
“We celebrate the strong gains we’re seeing while also taking seriously the need to improve outcomes for our high school learners,” Summit Schools superintendent Dr. Tony Byrd said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring every student, at every level, is growing and achieving.”
Colorado measures students in two ways:
- Old-school “proficiency,” meaning the number of students who scored proficient or better
- New-school “Student Growth Percentile,” SGP, meaning the number of students who improved year over year
School leaders are especially excited about Summit’s elementary growth rating, where math scores went from below state average to 10 points above. Students at Summit Cove Elementary gained the most ground with a whopping 25% improvement in one year. Upper Blue Elementary scored the best overall, finishing in the 70th percentile – considered “high growth” by the state. District average was in the 60th percentile, considered typical growth.
On the English proficiency test, Frisco Elementary went from below average to above average with 54% of students now scoring proficient. Breckenridge Elementary School claims the best rating, 63% proficient, gaining eight points in a year.
Students at Summit Middle School and Snowy Peaks improved on the math test, although scores were still below state average. Barely one-third of middle schoolers are proficient. Not even one-fourth of Snowy Peaks students are proficient.
Students at Summit High School struggled the most, especially with SAT testing. Summit’s growth rating fell below state average led by Hispanic, dual-language and students with disabilities.
“The gains we have seen in elementary overall and in middle school math show us that our focus over the last two years on strong foundational instructional practices has been working,” Byrd continued. “Now, we’re building on those successes and focusing on making sure all of our students, including those in high school, are gaining the skills they need for the future.”
Top of the list for Byrd and his team is targeted support for struggling students, meaning more time on core topics like math, science and English, and possibly one-on-one teaching.
Summit School District is back in session Aug. 25 at the high school and middle school, Aug. 27 at elementary schools.