The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the Spring 2025 MCAS results this week. I am proud to share that Andover Public Schools was recognized by DESE for achievement in our MCAS Math results for grades 3-8, which have now exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic levels. APS is one of 41 districts across the Commonwealth to have been highlighted for this progress at a DESE event announcing districts with marked improvement for this year’s results.
This remarkable achievement reflects our collective efforts; the successful implementation of new math curricula, Eureka2 in grades K-5 and Desmos Math in grades 6-8, the commitment and expertise of our classroom educators, strategic investments in instructional coaching, and professional development. These combined efforts have established a strong foundation for sustained academic growth and greater equity for all students.
An overview of the district's data can be found on the DESE website. Individual student reports will be sent home in early October.
Districtwide
As a district, Andover Public Schools is classified as meeting or exceeding improvement targets, the highest classification a district can receive through DESE’s accountability system. The majority of our schools met or exceeded DESE accountability targets across many indicators, including subgroups, and continue to exceed state averages in all content areas across all tested grades.
Andover's year-over-year MCAS trends reveal encouraging momentum in mathematics. We demonstrate strong performance that significantly outpaces state averages, particularly in mathematics, with 68% of students meeting or exceeding expectations across grades 3-8, even as state performance declined from 49% to 41% since 2019. Andover has seen particularly exceptional growth in the percentage of students exceeding expectations since 2019, with grade 5 increasing from 16% to 23%, and grade 7 increasing from 21% to 25% in the top tier.
Elementary
In addition to mathematics achievement, we are excited to share positive results on essay writing. Over the past two years, grades 2-5 have placed a special emphasis on essay writing. In 2023, Grade 3 students earned an average of 41% of the possible points on essay writing; in 2025, the same cohort of students earned an average of 61% of the possible points, representing a 20-point growth gain. This aggregate gain includes growth for student sub-group populations and this growth reflects the dedicated guidance of our teachers and the hard work of our students. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to continued progress in the years ahead.
Secondary
Mathematics growth is showing strong momentum, particularly in grade 7, with 69% of all students meeting or exceeding expectations. Additionally, students with disabilities have demonstrated consistent progress across the secondary grades over the past three years.
Student Growth Percentiles (SGP) have been particularly encouraging, consistently ranging from the mid-40s to low-60s across grades, indicating that students with disabilities are growing academically at rates comparable to or exceeding similar students statewide. This sustained progress reflects the district's commitment to inclusive practices and differentiated instruction.
The introduction of the grade 8 Civics assessment in 2025 showed strong initial performance with 61% of students meeting or exceeding expectations. These gains reflect the strength of our educators working together with our students to build on academic foundations and accelerate learning.
Accountability at All Grade Levels
We continue to demonstrate strong performance compared to other districts in the Commonwealth, given our school accountability percentiles, ranging from 85% - 96%. These percentiles indicate how a school compares to other schools across the state, taking into account student achievement, year-over-year growth, progress in narrowing achievement gaps, and attendance.
While celebrating these achievements, we have identified strategic opportunities for growth that will elevate performance even further. The district recognizes the potential to enhance literacy performance and is well-positioned to strengthen its comprehensive K-8 literacy approach with the new adoption of Arts and Letters (K-5) and Amplify ELA (6-8), which are being implemented this school year.
Additionally, we recognize that grade 8 science scores have shifted with 79% of students meeting or exceeding expectations in 2023, 75% in 2024, and 65% in 2025. This year, the middle school science department will undergo a curriculum review and a needs assessment to determine next steps. These strategic initiatives reflect a proactive, data-driven commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring every student reaches their full potential.
The combination of our dedicated educators and focus on PK- 12 curriculum development, aligned with targeted support for all students, has proven successful for APS’s ongoing academic improvement.
The district will present a detailed analysis of the Spring 2025 MCAS results to the School Committee on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
Dr. Magda Parvey
Superintendent