PSD again a top district in CMAS, PSAT, SAT achievement

Poudre School District is one of Colorado’s top 10 districts for math performance and top 15 districts for English Language Arts performance, according to 2024 Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) testing.  

The Colorado Department of Education publicly released CMAS results for 167 Colorado school districts and boards of cooperative educational services on Aug. 29.  

The percentage of PSD students who met or exceeded expectations on CMAS English Language Arts, math, and science tests this spring again surpassed the state average by double digits in all grades taking these exams, continuing the long tradition of high performance on state assessments. Third- through eighth-grade students statewide take CMAS English and math tests, while the CMAS science test is limited to students in fifth grade, eighth grade, and high school juniors.   

2024 CMAS % met/exceeded. PSD test results for grade 3 (56%), grade 4 (61%), grade 5 (64%), grade 6 (58%), grade 7 (62%), grade 8 (54%). State ELA results are 42% for grade 3, 42% for grade 4, 47% for grade 5, 44% for grade 6, 46% for grade 7, 43% for grade 8. PSD math results are 55% for grade 3, 52% for grade 4, 55% for grade 5, 44% for grade 6, 46% for grade 7, 48% for grade 8. State math results are 42% for grade 3, 34% for grade 4, 37% for grade 5, 29% for grade 6, 30% for grade 7, 33% for grade 8.

The state's growth percentile measure tracks how much cohorts of students grow from one year to the next on CMAS tests. Growth tracking found: 

  • PSD’s students in low-income households, Multilingual Learners, and students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) all had higher growth in CMAS math and English performance in 2024 than they did in 2023 and grew more in their knowledge year-over-year than their peers statewide. 

  • PSD fourth and fifth graders surpassed the state average for growth in both CMAS English language arts and math performance in 2024. 

The success of every student is deeply valued throughout PSD’s 54 schools. PSD Superintendent Brian Kingsley said the results of this year’s testing prove that PSD remains one of the top school districts in the state and in the nation. 

“It is our mission to ensure every student graduates from our schools prepared to pursue any career path they choose and succeed. Our 2024 statewide testing results show that more and more students are on track in their learning and on track to graduate with options for their future,” Kingsley said. 

2024 PSAT/SAT % met or exceeded state expectations. Chart shows PSAT 9 results for PSD (83% EBRW, 60% math) and the state (65% EBRW, 40% math). PSAT 10 results for PSD (84% EBRW, 54% math) and state (66% EBRW, 34% math), and SAT results for PSD (73% EBRW, 45% math) and state (58% EBRW, 31% math). EBRW equals Evidence-based reading and writing

Poudre School District high school students also surpassed statewide performance by double digits for meeting or exceeding expectations on 2024 PSAT and SAT tests and PSD students saw growth in most categories. 

  • PSD students earned higher scores on the PSAT9, PSAT10, and SAT Reading and Writing tests in 2024 than in 2023.  

  • Freshmen and sophomores bested the state average for PSAT math scores by 20 percentage points and outpaced the state average for PSAT Reading and Writing scores by 18 percentage points. 

  • High school juniors SAT scores were 14 percentage points higher than the state average on both the SAT math and SAT Reading and Writing exams. 

  • PSD students earned higher PSAT and SAT scores on the Reading and Writing test in 2024 than in 2023. 

  • Students on IEPs, students in low-income households, and minority students saw higher growth in PSAT and SAT Reading and Writing and math testing than the state. 

Visit CDE’s website to view full results of this year’s CMAS assessments (link here) and PSAT and SAT tests (link here).