Closing achievement gaps

Improvement by Aspen Valley Prep 8th-graders in English Language Arts was

20%

after three years using the program, according to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) assessment scores.

Improvement made by Aspen Valley Prep 7th-graders in English Language Arts was

18%

after three years using the program, according to the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) assessment scores.

Aspen Valley Prep unlocks the potential of future leaders by setting high expectations for all and creating a culture that celebrates each individual’s strengths and background. Aspen Valley Prep is a K-8 urban charter school in Fresno, California. All 6th-8th grade students participate in Gradient Learning’s program.

School Goals

A few years before joining the program, Aspen Valley Prep faculty implemented a learning approach that aimed to meet the unique needs of every student in several classrooms. The Aspen Valley Prep team was impressed by the difference it made in supporting the diverse student body and, seeing the positive effects of supporting each student’s unique needs and goals, leaders soon sought out our program. 

The program would support them in creating a learning environment grounded in student engagement, strong relationships and meaningful learning—with a particular focus on projects that empowered students to understand how classroom learning relates to life outside of school.

Students, teachers, and parents have access to a platform that helps accelerate learning and gives teachers the ability to manage curriculum, student progress, and assessments all in one place.

Aspen Valley Prep began using the program in the 2016-17 academic year, and students have been soaring to success ever since.

Impact

After three years with the program, students made academic gains in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. 

The 8th-grade cohort’s Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBC) assessment scores in ELA increased by 20 percent in the 2018-19 academic year. The 7th-grade cohort experienced similar growth, with 7th-grade SBAC proficiency scores increasing by 18 percent on the ELA section of the assessment and by 8-percent increase on the Math section. 

A School Leader’s Perspective

The key to Aspen Valley Prep’s success is fully focusing on three pillars: student engagement, meaningful learning, and fostering strong relationships between teachers and students.

“We see the benefit in every single pillar, because each pillar is necessary for stability,” said Hilary Downs, School Performance Analytics Director at Aspen Public Schools.

The support and motivation provided by Gradient Learning has been essential.

“Our Success Managers, the trainings, and access to all the materials to run in-house trainings is super helpful,” Downs said. “And the (teacher training) convenings are so motivating and insightful.”