School District Scores 98.3 Percent On APR

The Sullivan School District continues to boast one of the highest annual performance (APR) scores in the area.

Sullivan scored 98.3 percent, up from 97.1 percent in 2016 and 2017. 

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the scores in February.

APR measures academic achievement, subgroup achievement, college and career readiness, attendance and graduation.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Allen said it took every part of the district from the top down.

“It takes a lot of effort on everyone’s part,” Allen said. “Teachers, support staff, students. If we didn’t have board support, we wouldn’t be able to do half of what we do with students.”

“We are very happy,” said Dr. Jana Thornsberry, the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. “We have areas of improvement, but overall, we’re earning our points in areas we need to.”

Sullivan received 38.7 of 40 points on academic achievement, 9.2 of 10 points on subgroup achievement, 30 for 30 on college and career readiness and 10 for 10 on attendance. 2018 was the first year Sullivan has received a perfect score on attendance.

Ninety percent of students must attend school 90 percent of the time.

In 2017, Sullivan received just 7.5 points on attendance.

“That is probably our biggest challenge,” Thornsberry said. “Attendance is tough.”

Allen said the way the district reaches out to students for attendance continually changes. Focus is put on at-risk kids before they reach high school. 

“Freshmen year is very structured for them,” he said.

Thornsberry said the building principals are working hard.

“It was a huge celebration for us,” she said. “We do struggle with it. We really try to make that school-to-home connection and let parents know school is the best place for students.”

Academic Achievement

Academics are measured by academic achievement and subgroup achievement. In academic achievement, the district was above the state average in 12 of 15 areas, which Thornsberry said was “phenomenal.” 

“The teachers and administrators did a great job preparing the kids,” she said. “Area schools have been looking at us to see what we’re doing. It was great for us.”

Four years ago, the district went through a curriculum re-write. Thornsberry said it has been an ongoing process and they place a focus on assessment, but pointed out that it’s just a snapshot.

“It’s a one day test,” she said. “What we do in the classroom tells us more.”

Subgroup achievement measures free and reduced lunch and special education students. 

“For both of those populations, we look at interventions to make sure we are meeting their needs,” Thornsberry said. 

College and Career

After receiving 29.5 points in 2017, Sullivan achieved the full 30 in college and career readiness. Thornsberry said the district works hard to make sure they are focusing on making students career ready, not just college.

“We make kids more aware of what they can do other than just go to college,” she said.

Jessi Payne oversees that aspect and the school works closely with agriculture, family and consumer science and marketing business areas. Many students attend Four Rivers Career Center and there is a large group of students interested in the medical field. 

“We have so many that we have a Four Rivers instructor we house at the high school so students do not have to travel,” Thornsberry said, noting there are 29 students interested for next year. With the large network of medical providers in the area, Thornsberry said they are able to get more students involved.

Graduation Rate

The district was perfect again in graduation. Allen said that the academic center overseen by Jason Harbour has helped tremendously with dropout rate. The center is for non-traditional students and helps students progress to graduation through completion of credits, completion of the Missouri Option requirements or return to the high school.

Looking at the big picture, Allen said every point above 90 on the APR becomes much harder.

“It takes so much more effort to get,” Allen said. “It’s not real easy to get to 90. Beyond that is very difficult. A lot has to happen.”