From an F rating to off the closure list.

An F rating and the threat of state takeover

Kirby Middle School in Wichita Falls, Texas, began the 2018-2019 school year with an F rating from the state and Improvement Required status. With many at-risk students, high teacher turnover and low scores, the school faced the possibility of a state takeover.

COVID-19 disrupted the improvement work that followed. School leaders pressed on, ran a thorough needs assessment, and wrote a 2022-2023 improvement plan with six priorities, among them job-embedded support for teachers on interventions proven to close achievement gaps, and four goals, including recruiting, retaining and supporting teachers and principals and building a foundation of literacy and numeracy.

Individualized coaching on evidence-based interventions

Kirby partnered with engage2learn for individualized coaching of its leaders and teachers across the school on evidence-based interventions proven to raise academic scores. Teachers used rubrics with their students to identify each student’s needs and target the right skills with the right students.

A school saved in a matter of months

Within a few months of focused support, student outcomes improved, and the district, principals and teachers turned the school around and saved it from a state takeover.