Acton students outpace state on MCAS, but some math numbers dip
Results have not rebounded to their pre-pandemic levels for most Acton schools, matching a nationwide trend.
Acton students exceeded state averages for passing this year’s assessment exams, even as some figures show a downward trend for the district.
More than half of Acton students “met or exceeded expectations” on every Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test, with more than 75% of students passing at least some subjects.
On average, fewer than 50% of Massachusetts students received a passing grade on their MCAS exams.
Notable results include 81% of fifth graders at Thoreau Elementary passing math, 85% of Acton Middle School eighth graders meeting or exceeding expectations in English, and at least 80% of Acton-Carlisle High School students passing every subject area.
Schools Superintendent Laurie Hunter lauded the results in an email to The Acton Bridge sent via the district’s PR firm, John Guilfoil Public Relations.
“Both districts are classified as ‘Meeting or Exceeding Targets,’ and ranked among the top-performing districts in the state, underscoring the excellence that defines our schools and the dedicated work of our educators, students, and families,” Hunter said.
“These results affirm a culture of high expectations, rigorous content, and meaningful learning experiences across our schools,” she wrote.
Some metrics slip
Though district results are still above the state average, some tilted downward. Elementary math performance in Acton, on average, has fallen to its lowest level since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The district’s fourth grade math results took the biggest hit.
In 2023 and 2024, approximately 75% of fourth graders “met or exceeded expectations.” This year, that figure was roughly 60%.
At Thoreau Elementary, the percentage of students who passed their math assessment dropped significantly, from 75% passing in 2024 to 56% passing this year. Alcott decreased from 75% to 64%, and Willard fell from 77% to 60%.
Hunter did not directly answer Bridge questions about the drop in math but said in her email, “Our goals are for all students to reach high levels, including those in subgroups by race, disability, and high needs, and we are still working toward those goals to close achievement gaps.”
The number of elementary students passing their English exams increased compared with last year, and science passing rates stayed similar to the previous year.
School Committee Chairs Tracey Marano and Andrew Herchek did not respond to Bridge questions about the testing.
Recovering after Covid
Results have also not rebounded to their pre-pandemic levels for most Acton schools, matching a nationwide trend.
Elementary science test results are showing an upward trend — the only Acton elementary numbers to do so — and Acton Middle School is placing at or above where it did in 2019. However, most figures for the two districts are still below pre-pandemic levels.
Before the pandemic, elementary students across Massachusetts passed their tests 6 to 10 percentage points more often than they do today, a statistic mirrored in Acton’s schools.
At the high school level, statewide figures are down 10 to 20 points, while CCHS has seen a more modest decline of 5 to 10 points compared with pre-pandemic results.
Hunter also did not address specific Bridge questions on whether the district sees areas it can improve, instead saying, “We are deeply proud of our educators, who bring both joy and rigor to classrooms each day, and of our students and families, whose partnership makes these successes possible.”
