Dear Southern Boone School District Families,
You may have heard about Missouri's new A–F grading system for public schools. We want to share information about the new A–F School and District Grade Card system and provide some context about how schools and districts are evaluated.
Earlier this year, Governor Mike Kehoe issued an executive order directing the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to develop a statewide accountability system that assigns letter grades of A, B, C, D or F to public schools and school districts.
The new framework evaluates schools using measures of student academic achievement and growth, with additional indicators for high schools, including graduation rates and college- and career-readiness. However, these results do not reflect every aspect of the work taking place in our classrooms or the many educational opportunities and services we provide to students.
The initial grade cards are based on data from the 2024–2025 school year and represent the first year of this new system. The system is currently in its pilot phase, with additional measures expected to be incorporated in future years.
Understanding the Results
The new ratings provide another way to evaluate student performance, recognize areas of strength and identify opportunities for improvement. However, they represent only one part of how we assess the overall quality of education in our district.
It is important to understand that the new A–F Grade Card system will not replace Missouri's existing Annual Performance Report (APR), which is used to evaluate school and district performance and determine accreditation status. The two accountability systems will operate separately and use different measures to evaluate school performance.
This means a school district could remain fully accredited under Missouri's existing accountability system while receiving a lower letter grade under the new A–F system. A district's A–F grade does not necessarily reflect its accreditation status.
Based on the information currently available, we expect the A–F School and District Grade Card reports to be released publicly following the December meeting of the Missouri State Board of Education.
Moving Forward
We will use the results from this new accountability system, along with other district data, to evaluate our progress, recognize areas of strength and identify opportunities for continued improvement.
Our focus remains on student learning, academic growth and providing a quality education for every Southern Boone student. This commitment is reflected in the district's Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) and Building School Improvement Plans (BSIP), which guide our ongoing efforts to support student success.
While academic achievement is an important part of our mission, we also recognize that student success extends beyond test scores and letter grades. Our goal is to develop well-rounded individuals who are innovative thinkers, effective communicators and problem solvers. We want our students to graduate with the knowledge, skills and character needed to succeed in life, make a positive impact on those around them and contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.
We appreciate the continued efforts of our teachers, administrators and support staff in helping students learn, grow and succeed. We are also grateful for the strong partnerships we have with our parents, families and community members, whose support makes a positive difference in the lives of our students every day.
If you have questions about the new grading system, please contact your child's building administration or the district's Central Office.
Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff and school district.
Yours in Education,
Dr. Tim Roth
School Superintendent