Powell Middle School’s eighth grade composition/literature teachers and principal Kyle Rohrer credit an excellent class and teacher collaboration for creating conditions that led to the best WY-TOPP scores in the state for 2022.

Park County School District 1’s eighth grade class scored first in the state in English language arts [ELA], second in math and third in science at the state level. Additionally, Powell’s fifth graders hold the state’s highest test scores for ELA. 

Superintendent Jay Curtis said in 13 of 18 categories PCSD1 placed in the top six districts.

“That group of kids had performed well but I think on top of that was their character,” Rohrer said.

He added the WY-TOPPs are a good unit to measure student growth by as well as compare school and district performance. He called the scores an honor for last year’s eighth graders and noted that without parent, teacher and student support it would not be possible.

Eighth grade composition/literature teachers Marci Brauchie and Stacie (Faxon) Lange, who meet together to coordinate lessons as an eighth grade team, gave credit to last year’s class for their eagerness to learn.

“I had a lot of students last year that wanted to do extra credit books, just to read and do the discussions and I think that helped as well,” Brauchie said. 

Brauchie added this wasn’t uncommon — she guessed that she had 10%-15% more students who participated in this extra work. 

Brauchie and Lange said that to teach their students they employ weekly informational reading and Upfront magazines of different skill levels to challenge their students. They also focus on common core assignments and tests as well as discussions, novels and poetry.

Lange also appreciates the 45-minute block for writing and reading which allows students more time to push themselves.

“We have a great eighth grade team you know. I want to shout out to them, to our social studies teacher [who does a lot for pulling out information during reading.] Our science teacher works a lot with vocabulary development and our math teachers are always blowing it out of the park with their WY-TOPP,” Lange said. “Our team works really well to support that all students are getting their needs met somewhere along the way and that’s been really helpful.”