McMinnville Sch. Dist.

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News Release

McMinnville And Lafayette Students Exceed Oregon Averages In Reading, Math, And Science - 09/24/26

McMinnville School District students exceeded Oregon’s overall proficiency rates in English language arts (ELA), math, and science on the 2025-26 state assessments. In math, McMinnville students exceeded the statewide rate at every tested grade level.

 

Districtwide, 48.4% of MSD students met the state standard in ELA, compared with 43.8% statewide. In math, the rates were 39.8% and 32.9% respectively. In science, 35.5% of McMinnville students met the standard, compared with 30.6% statewide.

 

“Our students and staff have worked hard, and these results give us reason to celebrate,” said Superintendent Dr. Kourtney Ferrua. “They also remind us that being above the state average is not the finish line. Every student deserves the instruction and support they need to keep growing.”

 

Eighth graders exceeded statewide proficiency rates in all three subjects. The largest difference was in math: 46.7% of MSD eighth graders met the state standard, compared with 30.0% statewide. Eleventh graders also exceeded statewide rates in ELA, math, and science. Their math proficiency rate rose from 23.6% last year to 34.5% this year, although those two results represent different groups of 11th graders.

 

Looking at grade groups over time offers another view of progress. The group of students who were in eighth grade last year increased its ELA proficiency rate from 45.0% when it was in sixth grade to 53.1% in 2025-26. Over the same two years, the corresponding statewide group rose from 40.7% to 41.5%. In math, McMinnville’s eighth grade group rose from 40.0% to 46.7%, widening its advantage over the corresponding statewide group.

 

“These comparisons help us see more than a single year’s scores,” explained Dr. Lauren Berg, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. “We want to understand where groups of students are gaining ground, where they are encountering challenges, and what additional support will help them succeed. We will look at these results alongside classroom work and other measures of learning as we plan our next steps.”

 

The results also identify areas needing attention. Fewer than half of MSD students who took each assessment met the state standard. Overall proficiency for Students with Disabilities was below the statewide rate for that group in ELA, math, and science. English Learners were slightly above the statewide rate for English Learners in ELA and below it in math.

 

A student is considered proficient when they score at Level 3 or 4 on the state assessment. Oregon tests students in Grades 3 through 8 and Grade 11 in ELA and math. Students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 also take a science test. State assessments provide one measure of learning and do not capture everything a student knows or the progress they made during the year.

 

“Every number in this report represents a student learning to read, working through a math problem, or discovering something new in science,” said Dr. Ferrua. “We have high expectations for every one of them, including students who have not yet met the state standard. These results will help us see where instruction is working and where we need to do more. By learning from one another, strengthening our teaching, and responding to what students need, we can help every student keep growing.”

 

About McMinnville School District

McMinnville School District serves approximately 5,750 students in McMinnville, Lafayette, and surrounding Yamhill County communities. From the first day of kindergarten through graduation, our schools help students build strong academic foundations, discover their interests, and prepare for what comes next. In partnership with families and our community, we work to ensure every student belongs, is challenged, and has the support to succeed.

 

McMinnville And Lafayette Students Exceed Oregon Averages In Reading, Math, And Science - 09/24/26

McMinnville School District students exceeded Oregon’s overall proficiency rates in English language arts (ELA), math, and science on the 2025-26 state assessments. In math, McMinnville students exceeded the statewide rate at every tested grade level.

 

Districtwide, 48.4% of MSD students met the state standard in ELA, compared with 43.8% statewide. In math, the rates were 39.8% and 32.9% respectively. In science, 35.5% of McMinnville students met the standard, compared with 30.6% statewide.

 

“Our students and staff have worked hard, and these results give us reason to celebrate,” said Superintendent Dr. Kourtney Ferrua. “They also remind us that being above the state average is not the finish line. Every student deserves the instruction and support they need to keep growing.”

 

Eighth graders exceeded statewide proficiency rates in all three subjects. The largest difference was in math: 46.7% of MSD eighth graders met the state standard, compared with 30.0% statewide. Eleventh graders also exceeded statewide rates in ELA, math, and science. Their math proficiency rate rose from 23.6% last year to 34.5% this year, although those two results represent different groups of 11th graders.

 

Looking at grade groups over time offers another view of progress. The group of students who were in eighth grade last year increased its ELA proficiency rate from 45.0% when it was in sixth grade to 53.1% in 2025-26. Over the same two years, the corresponding statewide group rose from 40.7% to 41.5%. In math, McMinnville’s eighth grade group rose from 40.0% to 46.7%, widening its advantage over the corresponding statewide group.

 

“These comparisons help us see more than a single year’s scores,” explained Dr. Lauren Berg, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. “We want to understand where groups of students are gaining ground, where they are encountering challenges, and what additional support will help them succeed. We will look at these results alongside classroom work and other measures of learning as we plan our next steps.”

 

The results also identify areas needing attention. Fewer than half of MSD students who took each assessment met the state standard. Overall proficiency for Students with Disabilities was below the statewide rate for that group in ELA, math, and science. English Learners were slightly above the statewide rate for English Learners in ELA and below it in math.

 

A student is considered proficient when they score at Level 3 or 4 on the state assessment. Oregon tests students in Grades 3 through 8 and Grade 11 in ELA and math. Students in Grades 5, 8, and 11 also take a science test. State assessments provide one measure of learning and do not capture everything a student knows or the progress they made during the year.

 

“Every number in this report represents a student learning to read, working through a math problem, or discovering something new in science,” said Dr. Ferrua. “We have high expectations for every one of them, including students who have not yet met the state standard. These results will help us see where instruction is working and where we need to do more. By learning from one another, strengthening our teaching, and responding to what students need, we can help every student keep growing.”

 

About McMinnville School District

McMinnville School District serves approximately 5,750 students in McMinnville, Lafayette, and surrounding Yamhill County communities. From the first day of kindergarten through graduation, our schools help students build strong academic foundations, discover their interests, and prepare for what comes next. In partnership with families and our community, we work to ensure every student belongs, is challenged, and has the support to succeed.