Alpine students are making historic strides in reading.

More than half of all elementary schools in Alpine School District received official commendations from the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) for exceptional literacy growth. 

Across the district, 40 schools saw gains of 10% or more in student reading proficiency in at least one grade level, with 14 of those schools achieving remarkable surges of 20% or more. 

“This is pretty significant and really hard to move that many students in one year’s time,” said Julie Clark, the P-12 English Language Arts Coordinator at USBE. 

Around 19% of schools In Utah achieved the commendation, while 51% of Alpine Schools met the 10% growth threshold. 

Recognizing growth alongside proficiency in literacy is essential because it offers a fuller, more equitable view of student learning,” said Katie Bowman, an elementary area supervisor. “Proficiency captures where a student is at a specific moment, while growth highlights the progress a student has made over time and reflects the impact of instruction.”

Bowman credits teachers, teams, and training with the growth.

“Over the last few years our school staff have been part of systematic and research-based literacy training,” she said. 

Teachers are also setting goals at the classroom, grade, and school level, and have access to more data than ever before to guide instructional approaches and interventions. 

“Grade level teams are using a broader range of assessment sources, which helps to ensure that they are teaching to the rigor needed for students to thrive,” said Bowman. 

According to Clark, third-grade reading proficiency serves as a primary indicator for high school graduation and future career earnings.

Schools that achieved 20% growth:

• Springside

• Aspen

• Bonneville

• Centennial

• Central

• Eagle Valley

• Forbes

• Fox Hollow

• Manila

• Parkside

• Rocky Mountain

• Shelley

• Vineyard

• Westmore

Schools that achieved 10% growth:

• Aspen* 

• Belmont 

• Bonneville*

• Brookhaven

• Cascade

• Cedar Ridge

• Cedar Valley

• Centennial*

• Deerfield

• Desert Sky

• Dry Creek

• Eaglecrest

• Freedom

• Greenwood

• Harvest

• Hidden Hollow

• Highland

• Lindon

• Mount Mahogany

• Mountain Trails

• Northridge

• Orchard

• Orem

• Parkside*

• Pony Express

• Sage Hills

• Sego Lily

• Shellley*

• Silver Lake

• Thunder Ridge

• Windsor

* improved 10% in one grade and 20% in another grade

Clark also added that the state has set an ambitious goal to have 70% of all Utah third graders reading at grade level by 2027. 

“Parents can support this work by engaging with their kids in text by reading together, discussing what they are reading, engaging in meaningful conversations, and helping their children expand their vocabulary,” she said.