Notre Dame Academy’s Continued Strong Academic Performance

At Notre Dame Academy, we are committed to academic excellence and ensuring that each of our students reaches their full potential. A key part of that commitment is regularly assessing how our students are progressing in core subjects—reading, math, language usage, and science. To help us measure growth and tailor instruction, we use the NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests, which provide valuable insights into student learning throughout the year.

These assessments are not just about numbers; they help us understand individual strengths and areas for improvement at specific moments in time. By analyzing this data, we can provide the necessary support to help every student thrive.

Understanding the NWEA MAP Tests

The NWEA MAP tests are nationally recognized assessments designed to measure student growth over time. Unlike traditional standardized tests that only evaluate proficiency, MAP tests are adaptive, meaning they adjust in difficulty based on a student’s responses. This ensures that each student receives a personalized testing experience that accurately reflects their academic abilities.

At Notre Dame Academy, we administer the full MAP tests twice a year—in the fall and spring—to students in first through eighth grade. The tests are divided into four subjects: reading, math, language usage, and science. In the winter, we test students in math and reading. This frequent assessment schedule allows us to track:

• Growth from one test period to the next
• Year-over-year academic progress
• Predicted future performance based on current trends

Because MAP tests are designed to identify specific skill strengths and areas for improvement, they provide a roadmap for personalized instruction and targeted interventions.

How We Use MAP Test Data

MAP test scores are more than just numbers; they serve as actionable insights that help us refine our educational approach. At Notre Dame Academy, we use these scores to:

• Identify students who may need extra support – If a student’s scores indicate challenges in a particular subject, we can provide additional instruction, tutoring, or other support services to help them improve.
• Tailor the curriculum to each student’s needs – By analyzing strengths and areas for growth, teachers can adjust lessons and assignments to ensure each student is challenged at an appropriate level.
• Challenge high-achieving students – For students excelling in specific areas, we use MAP data to provide advanced coursework and enrichment opportunities that encourage critical thinking and deeper learning.
• Compare our performance to other schools – The MAP tests allow us to see how our students’ achievements measure up against other private schools in Minnesota and nationwide, providing valuable context for our academic programs.

Notre Dame Academy’s Strong Academic Performance

We are incredibly proud of our students’ performance on the latest NWEA MAP assessments. When compared to private schools across Minnesota and the nation, Notre Dame Academy students consistently scored above average in all four tested subjects. In the chart below, math and reading are an average of grades 1st-8th, while language usage is a comparable average for grades 3rd-8th, and science for grades 6th-8th.

Notre Dame Academy’s MAP Test Results vs. Other Private Schools:

These results demonstrate the strength of our academic programs and the dedication of our students and teachers. In every subject area, NDA students outperformed their peers at both the state and national levels.

• In reading, our students scored in the 72nd percentile, significantly higher than both the Minnesota and national private school averages.
• In math, NDA students ranked in the 70th percentile, outperforming private school peers by a substantial margin.
• In language usage, our students achieved an impressive 75th percentile ranking, indicating strong writing and grammar skills.
• In science, our students placed in the 64th percentile, exceeding state and national averages.

These results reflect the dedication and hard work of our students, as well as the strength of our teaching methods.

Looking Beyond the Numbers

While NWEA MAP test scores provide valuable insights, they are just one piece of the puzzle in understanding a student’s academic journey. A single test score cannot capture all the creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills our students develop every day. However, these assessments help us tailor instruction to meet students where they are and guide them toward continued growth.

At Notre Dame Academy, we take pride in our students’ achievements, and these results inspire us to keep striving for academic excellence. We will continue to use MAP data to refine our curriculum, support our students, and ensure that every child reaches their full potential.

We are excited about our progress, and we look forward to seeing even more growth in the future!