Academic results

All three Newcastle schools meet state expectations

All three Newcastle schools met state performance expectations in the 2025-26 school year, while Weston County School District No. 1 students exceeded statewide proficiency rates in 17 of 19 reported grade-and-subject comparisons.

Local students surpassed statewide rates in every reported English language arts and science comparison and six of eight math comparisons, according to Wyoming Department of Education data released Oct. 16, alongside annual school performance ratings.

A News Letter Journal analysis of department data found that nine of the district’s 19 grade-and-subject proficiency rates ranked among the top 10 statewide, based on publicly reported results from Wyoming’s 48 school districts.

Newcastle ranked first in fourth grade science and sixth grade math and second in eighth grade math.

In fourth grade science, 73.81% of students scored proficient or advanced, compared with 56.19% statewide. The district’s proficiency rate fell from 69.35% in 2023-24 to 58.62% in 2024-25 before rebounding this year.

Sixth grade math proficiency climbed 32 percentage points from the previous year to 80.65%, ranking first among numbered districts. The statewide proficiency rate was 56.87%.

Eighth grade math was also among Newcastle’s strongest results, with 82.81% of students scoring proficient or advanced, compared with 53.94% statewide, a difference of nearly 29 percentage points.

The Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress, or WY-TOPP, measures student proficiency in English language arts, math and science. The broader school ratings also consider academic growth and equity, which examines progress among students who previously performed at lower levels. High school ratings additionally consider graduation, credits earned and preparation for college, careers or military service.

Science leads elementary results

Newcastle Elementary School earned a Meeting Expectations rating for the third consecutive year after receiving Partially Meeting Expectations in 2021-22 and 2022-23. The school also met expectations in the two years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its academic achievement exceeded the state target this year, while growth and equity met their targets.

Fourth grade science proficiency rebounded from the previous year, when 58.62% of students scored proficient or advanced.

NES Principal Brandy Holmes credited sustained work on the school’s K-5 science program.

“Being ranked first in the state is certainly exciting, but what stands out most is the dedication behind that achievement,” Holmes said. “Mrs. Huber consistently reviews student data, stays current on best practices, and makes adjustments to strengthen our K-5 science program.”

Fourth grade math proficiency also climbed, from 59.32% last year to 73.81% this year. Fifth graders posted identical proficiency rates of 74.07% in math and English language arts.

Not all elementary results improved, however. Third grade math proficiency fell from 80% in 2024-25 to 60.34% this year, slightly below the statewide rate of 61.2%.

Holmes said staff members will examine both weaker results and areas of strong growth to identify instructional approaches that could be applied elsewhere.

Middle school math surges

Every reported grade-and-subject proficiency rate at Newcastle Middle School exceeded its statewide counterpart.

The largest year-over-year gains came in math.

Sixth grade math proficiency jumped from 48.53% in 2024-25 to 80.65% this year, compared with 56.87% statewide. Eighth grade math proficiency rose from 59.18% to 82.81%, while the statewide rate increased from 49.77% to 53.94%.

Seventh grade math proficiency declined from 64.71% to 59.42%, but remained 6.52 percentage points above the statewide rate of 52.90%, which rose from 50.07% the previous year.

English language arts proficiency also exceeded statewide rates in grades 6-8. In eighth grade science, 51.56% of students scored proficient or advanced, compared with 48.09% statewide.

The middle school met state targets for academic achievement and growth and exceeded the equity target.

NMS Principal Joe Johnson said the school’s performance across core academic areas stood out to him.

“Our teachers are delivering high-level, standards-aligned instruction, and our students are meeting that challenge,” Johnson said. “It’s a wonderful validation of our staff’s hard work and dedication.”

Johnson said he was especially pleased with year-over-year improvement across nearly every area, which he said reflects the school’s ongoing instructional efforts.

Staff members will next evaluate the effectiveness of academic interventions, or additional support provided to students who need it.

“Are our support systems helping every student close gaps and accelerate their learning?” Johnson said.

High school completes climb

Newcastle High School reached Meeting Expectations after improving one performance level in each of the past two years. The school was rated Not Meeting Expectations in 2023-24 and Partially Meeting Expectations in 2024-25.

Its academic achievement measure followed a similar path, moving from Below Target two years ago to Meets Target last year and Exceeds Target this year.

Principal Bryce Hoffman said an improved graduation rate for the class of 2025 helped lift the overall rating. Teachers have also worked to encourage students to take state testing seriously.

Two years ago, the school began tying a quiz-equivalent grade to students’ WY-TOPP proficiency and growth.

“We felt like students in the past may have rushed the test since it had no impact on their grade,” Hoffman said. “Last year, since there were new standards being implemented and scores were not released immediately, we weren’t able to utilize a quiz score to increase motivation, but the students did a great job regardless.”

This year, the high school exceeded state targets for academic achievement and postsecondary readiness, or preparation for college, careers or military service. It met targets for graduation and credits earned, but growth and equity remained Below Target.

Hoffman said he was surprised the school missed the growth target, particularly given its strong achievement results in several areas. Staff members will examine whether academic interventions are providing sufficient support for students who previously performed at lower levels, he said.

On WY-TOPP, Newcastle exceeded statewide proficiency rates in four of five reported high school grade-and-subject comparisons.

Tenth grade English language arts was among the strongest results, with 70.69% of students scoring proficient or advanced, compared with 54.65% statewide.

“I believe our instructors complement each other very well and each has their own strength which allows diverse learners to thrive,” Hoffman said.

Tenth grade science proficiency reached 68.97%, compared with 53.28% statewide. An NLJ analysis of state data found that both the English language arts and science results ranked fourth among Wyoming’s numbered school districts with publicly reported results.

Tenth grade math also exceeded the statewide rate, at 50% compared with 44.95%, but did not rank among the top 10.

Ninth-grade math was a weaker area, with 39.58% of Newcastle students scoring proficient or advanced, compared with 46.48% statewide.

Hoffman said the math department is reviewing alignment between classes to improve instructional consistency.

Beyond accountability ratings, Hoffman said the school’s broader goal remains providing students with required coursework and meaningful choices.

“The goal is to always provide an education program to our students that is diverse enough to meet core requirements and provide elective choices that are meaningful to students,” Hoffman said.

More than one measure

Statewide, 50% of Wyoming’s traditional schools met overall performance standards in 2025-26, up from 40% in 2022-23, according to the department.

Superintendent Brad LaCroix credited Newcastle students and teachers for all three schools meeting expectations, while cautioning against treating standardized testing as a complete measure of student knowledge.

“It’s an indicator,” he said.

For Newcastle educators, the next step is using that indicator to determine which approaches should continue and which need to change.

“It’s a really nice feeling on your way out that all the schools are where they need to be so the next person in can look and see where the district stands toward student achievement,” said LaCroix, whose last day with the district is June 30.