Over the last several months, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has released data included in its district report cards, and students at Penfield Central School District continue to demonstrate academic proficiency across grade levels and subjects.

Students take standardized tests in English language arts and mathematics in grades 3-8, science in grades 4 and 8, and high school Regents exams in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.

For grades 3-8, students are assigned a performance level based on how well they do on tests:

• Level 4-Advanced Proficient
• Level 3-Proficient
• Level 2-Partially Proficient
• Level 1-Not Proficient

Regents level descriptions follow a similar pattern, adding one more distinction:

• Level 5-meet with distinction grade-level expectations of learning standards
• Level 4-fully meet grade-level expectations of learning standards
• Level 3-minimally meet grade-level expectations of learnings standards
• Level 2-partially meet grade-level expectations of learning standards
• Level 1-demonstrate knowledge and skills below Level 2

ELA Scores Rebound

Penfield students in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade who took the state ELA exams showed vast improvement over the previous year, with proficiency scores increasing by double digits. With the state moving to computer-based testing during the 2023-2024 academic year, Penfield began to adjust the way it prepared students for the exam.

“We recognized that students needed more practice and exposure to taking exams on the computer,” said Sheena Conway, Executive Director for Humanities and Innovative Learning. “We created more common computer-based assessments and incorporated a mid-year benchmark with scoring release days where teachers came together to discuss rubrics, scored exams together, and discussed best practices.”

These strategies resulted in a marked improvement in student proficiency reflected in the scores. In grades 3 through 8, Penfield students scored well above their peers across New York State.

At the high school level, on U.S History, Global History, and English state exams, Penfield students also performed at the same level or above the previous year. For example, 91 percent of Penfield students demonstrated proficiency in the English exam, compared to 75 percent of their peers across NYS.

STEM Scores Stay Strong

The District implemented a new K-5 math curriculum last academic year, and Penfield students maintained excellent results. A point of pride: The number of students who scored proficient on the Grade 5 math exam ranked first in Monroe County.

As for Regents results, math continues to support students meeting grade level expectations. Algebra 1 saw 85 percent meet expectations, Geometry saw 86 percent, and Algebra 2 saw 95 percent meet expectations. Physics is also a bright spot for the District—among the 123 Penfield students who took the exam, 87 percent scored proficiency. This result is second in Monroe County.

“As a District, we have been using these state results throughout the year to determine next steps with our instructional practices and supports needed for both students and staff,” said Kimberly Gebhardt, Director of STEM. “These highlights speak to the dedication of our faculty in ensuring students are prepared to take these challenging exams.”

In 2025, the state introduced new Regents exams for Geometry, Life Science: Biology, and Earth and Space Science. Gebhardt said she is proud to see Penfield students rise to the challenge and added that the departments continue to align curriculum to reflect changes in the standards and assessment.