Making waves and boosting student science scores

Resilience, curiosity, and self-direction are core values in the classrooms of Adairville School in Adairville, Kentucky. This year, the school adopted the theme Making Waves to inspire both students and staff. The theme resonated deeply with the school’s emphasis on character development.

“Making waves isn’t just about causing a disruption,” said Lori Bouldin, Adairville’s principal. “It’s about making a positive impact. If we want our kids to make a difference in the world, we have to equip them with the qualities that will help them do so.”

Through this framework, Adairville School has found a way to balance academics and character development, and the results show it’s working. Test scores, particularly in subjects like science, have soared. The school made a 27-point increase in its science scores after adopting the externally validated OpenSciEd curriculum provided by Gradient Learning. 

Perhaps more impressive, though, is the enhanced student experience and the way they have become active contributors to their own education.

“The kids are asking better questions,” said Bouldin, who enjoys watching students become young scientists with their peers. “They’re curious, they’re collaborating, and they’re taking real ownership of their learning. When I go into classrooms, it feels like students aren't just learning science, they are learning to think like a scientist.”

Whole Student Outcomes

Gradient Learning’s Whole Student Outcomes—resilience, self-direction, curiosity, purpose, and agency—helped the school refocus its efforts on developing key character traits in students. 

The focus shifted from simply teaching knowledge to nurturing the personal growth that would enable students to thrive in and out of the classroom. The school integrates the outcomes into all aspects of their school day.

For example, teachers helped students identify indicators of resilience, such as perseverance and problem-solving and encouraged them to reflect on these traits through journaling, class discussions, and activities.

“It wasn’t just talking about resilience,” Bouldin said. “We made it a real part of how we worked with students. Before a challenging project, we’d remind them, 'This is how resilient people approach tough tasks.' Then, after the task was completed, we’d reflect on how they showed resilience throughout the process."

The wave effect

The effects of this focus on character development have been noticed at home. Bouldin said parents have reported changes in behavior, such as their children setting their own alarms, taking ownership of their homework, and helping out at home without being asked.

“We’re seeing kids take more responsibility for their learning,” Bouldin said. “In fact, some of them are even asking to stay after school to get their work done. We’ve had students sign up for our after-school program without being referred by a teacher. It’s like they’re taking charge.”

Adairville School made a 27-point increase in its science scores after adopting the externally validated OpenSciEd curriculum provided by Gradient Learning.

Teachers have also embraced the growth mindset, finding new ways to approach their own professional development. They gather weekly to share challenges and strategies and have found themselves becoming more resilient and purpose-driven in their own work.

Looking ahead, the school’s commitment to the whole student remains unwavering. With the continued integration of self-directed learning and the adoption of new curricula, Adairville School is poised to keep making waves in the world of education.

“We’ve only scratched the surface,” Bouldin said. “We’re just getting started. And we can’t wait to see where these waves take us next.”