Communities

NUPS continue exceeding above state average

NEW ULM – The 2025-2026 Report Card for New Ulm Public Schools was released by the Minnesota Department of Education September 30.

NUPS kept up with their pattern of continuously producing higher average test results than the Minnesota average.

Report card tests showed MCA results, which are taken across grade levels. Students beginning in grade three through high school are assessed in Math and reading. Additionally, grades five, eight, and high school levels are assessed in science.

In math, which is tested as the MCA III, New Ulm students had a 53.6% proficiency rate. This is more than 8% higher than the state average, which is 44.9%.

For science, which is in its second year of the MCA IV, New Ulm students had a proficiency rate of 37.7%, which is 12% higher than the state average.

Reading scores were unique in that the 2025-2026 results will serve as the baseline for the new MCA IV.

New Ulm scored 48.5% proficiency, which is less than 1% lower than state average.

District Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator Amanda Thorson said that new statewide assessment changes take time and that the MCA III and MCA IV should not be compared.

Thorson talked about a testing standard called productive struggle, which requires students to work through something they haven't learned yet. Students are taught perseverance skills in these situations.

One of the changes between the MCA III and MCA IV is the language used to describe where students are with their scores. The MCA III used the language does not meet, partial meets, meets, and exceeds whereas the MCA IV uses beginning, intermediate, meets, and advanced.

These changes align with Superintendent Sean Koster's philosophy that test scores are just one piece of data showing how a student is doing academically.

"Any test is a one day snapshot. We try to look at growth over time, the longitudinal data that a student produces over their whole time as a student," Koster said. "It shows where they are growing and how they're progressing as a student."

Thorson said that to assist students with growth, the school focuses on classroom instruction, reviewing student performance data, and providing additional support when needed. In addition, the school has prioritized communication and collaboration with families.

Koster credited families and their value on education, along with staff, for the academic success in New Ulm area schools.

"We have strong relationships with our students and when you have strong relationships they're going to feel more comfortable in school," Koster said. "When they feel comfortable, they're guards come down. They feel comfortable in their skin and are able to perform better in the classroom."

He added that many important lessons learned throughout school do not show up on tests.

"We're teaching them how to be a kind human being, how to treat people with respect, perseverance, diligence," Koster said. "We're producing really good citizens coming out of New Ulm schools."