LA PORTE CITY – Students in the Union Community School District have achieved their highest overall scores on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) since testing began in 2019.

The district’s performance was exceptional, with all but one grade level surpassing the state average in literacy. Every grade level exceeded the state average in both math and science. Seven grade levels exceeded the state average by double digits in various testing areas, with the largest margin being 4th grade math, where Union students outperformed their peers by 21 points.

Districtwide proficiency rates were above 80% for literacy and math.

“We are proud of the outstanding assessment performance achieved at all of our schools,” Superintendent John Howard said. “As a district, we are committed to providing all of our students with a learning environment where they can be successful, and we will continue to make greater strides in the years to come.”

In addition to the ISASP results, the Iowa Department of Education released its School Performance Profiles for the 2023-24 school year in mid-Novemeber. These profiles include index scores and rating categories for all public schools in the state.

La Porte City Elementary School earned a “High Performing” status for the second consecutive year, with a score of 547.47. To qualify for this rating, elementary or middle schools must have a score between 487.20 to 547.74. Schools that score 547.75 or higher earn the top rating of “Exceptional.”

Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School and Union High School have both earned a “Commendable” rating, while Union Middle School was rated “Acceptable.”

Launched in 2018, the Iowa School Performance Profiles provide report cards reflecting the performance of all public schools in the state, fulfilling both state and federal requirements. To access the Iowa School Performance Profiles, visit https://www.iaschoolperformance.gov.

In the Conditions for Learning Survey completed in spring 2024, Union CSD’s grades 6-12 students outperformed state peers in every category, with the largest difference being in Emotional Safety–Union students scored 11 points higher than the state average. The district also saw the most significant gains between 2023 and 2024 in Adult-Student Relationships and Emotional Safety.

Every category for grades 6-12 showed at least a six-point increase from 2021. Both the Adult-Student Relationship percentage and Physical Safety percentage, for grades 3-5, are among the highest in the state.