February 07, 2025 -- Columbus City Schools (CCS) recently recognized elementary schools for their middle-of-year (MOY) achievements in math and reading on the i-Ready assessment. Thirty-six schools were honored for reading, while 24 earned recognition for math.
To receive this distinction, schools had to reach at least 50% median progress toward Typical Growth in their respective subject areas. i-Ready, a diagnostic and instructional platform, assesses students’ skills and creates personalized learning paths tailored to their needs.
“For groups of students – such as a district, school, or class – meeting Typical Growth means that this group has made as much growth as the average group,” said Jamie Clark, professional learning specialist from Curriculum Associates, creators of i-Ready.
CCS students take an i-Ready diagnostic at the start of the school year, followed by another in December to measure their progress. Typical Growth reflects the expected academic gains for students at each grade level, based on their initial assessment results.
For schools to meet these benchmarks, intentional strategies are essential. Lindbergh Elementary was among 20 schools recognized for both reading and math. Principal Annette Tooman credited her staff’s success to five key focus areas: buy-in and alignment, accurate data, intentional planning, curriculum instruction, and continuous feedback.
Much of Lindbergh’s progress stems from a collaborative approach. Teachers attended Solution Tree conferences, worked together on building standards, and followed a master schedule that ensures instruction remains on grade level. Additionally, dedicated intervention time allows educators to support students who need extra help while also challenging those performing above grade level.
“You inspect what you expect,” Tooman said. “It’s very clear what we expect, and we follow through.”
At Lindbergh, communication of expectations extends beyond staff. The school hosts “Pastries with Parents,” an event tailored to each grade level’s data assessment. When data revealed a need for stronger math skills, fourth- and fifth-grade families participated in math games designed to reinforce key concepts at home.
“Parents appreciate being part of what’s happening here at the school,” said Coralie Hafner, Lindbergh’s leadership intern. “They want the help and guidance as well.”
Ohio Avenue Elementary also embraced targeted strategies to drive student achievement. Recognized for growth in both subjects, the school responded to the Columbus Board of Education’s increased focus on math with an enhanced instructional approach. The results were significant: fifth graders moved from low to high growth in math on i-Ready.
“We are a Health Sciences Academy, and science and math go hand in hand, so we had to go harder,” Principal Anthony Williams said.
Both Williams and Tooman incorporated flexible grouping, a method that organizes students by skill level rather than grade. This approach allows educators to focus on specific concepts based on individual student data. Williams also worked closely with i-Ready consultants to ensure the platform was being used effectively to meet his students’ needs.
The impact of these efforts is clear.
“It shows that we are doing great work, collaborating, and making the best of situations that may not always be optimal,” Williams said. “We are making it happen.”
CCS congratulates all schools recognized for their dedication to student growth and achievement on i-Ready.
