The Iowa Department of Education recently released what’s commonly referred to as the “School Report Cards,” and arguably one of the strongest districts in the state based on the recent assessments was Perry.

Perry Elementary Principal Ned Menke says the Iowa School Performance Profile, as it’s now called, changed the methods for how districts are scored, and it proved to be a glowing endorsement for each of the Perry schools. Menke says it still takes overall proficiencies into account, but the profile now also factors in the growth of students each year, how different targeted demographics are faring, and survey results from students and parents. “So they really brought it into more of an across-the-board look at a school, rather than just a one test ‘are you proficient, or not?’ So they’re digging in a little deeper, and I think we’re getting a more true picture of the schools across the state.”

Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger says with much of the assessment now based on growth, Perry has shined because it’s been an area of emphasis for a long time. He attributes much of the growth to the successes of the extensive English Language Learner population at Perry. “We have a lot of kids that are just learning English here at Perry High School. And they don’t score very well on the very first test that they’re ever given. But they do score well as we pass a little time and they get a little more understanding of the language.”

Marburger emphasizes that credit for the growth of that particular demographic can be shared by the students and teachers, both of whom have been working hard at improvement. Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks adds, the elementary’s cumulative score was 60, while the high school was 58 and the middle school was 56. In each case, the score ranked Perry first of all schools in Dallas County, as well as those in the surrounding area. Wicks says the results didn’t come as a surprise to anyone within the District, but also says it’s exciting to be recognized by outside observers.