Submitted by Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Hamilton Southeastern Schools presented its mid-year academic review at the Wednesday, Feb. 25 Board of School Trustees work session, highlighting measurable student growth, expanded career-connected learning, and continued implementation of the district’s three-year Innovate 2028 strategic plan led by Superintendent Pat Mapes.
The academic update represents a major milestone in the strategic rollout that began in July 2025 to ensure success and outcomes for every student.
District leaders shared data showing continued progress across all grade levels, specifically highlighting achievement in foundational literacy and math, strong secondary performance, and early success from new initiatives including Freshman Seminar and career-focused Networks.
In Kindergarten literacy, 30 percent of students began the year well below target. By midyear, that number dropped to 13 percent, with 76 percent performing above or well above targets following focused instruction and intervention support.
At the junior-high level, ILEARN Checkpoint No. 2 results show notable gains. Eighth-grade math proficiency increased from 50 percent in 2024 to 68 percent in 2025, an 18-point improvement. Seventh-grade math proficiency rose to 73 percent, outperforming state averages by more than 30 points.
Mapes
“The data shared in this update illustrates that our Innovate 2028 plan is making a difference,” Superintendent Mapes said. “By supporting our teachers through meaningful professional development, using performance statistics to strengthen our instruction, and creating more opportunities for students to explore future pathways, HSE is raising our already exceptionally high standard.”
HSE’s 2025 graduation rate reached 98.8 percent across its two high schools, continuing a multi-year trend of exceptional completion rates. Advanced Placement (AP) participation and performance also improved. The percentage of graduating seniors earning at least one AP score of 3 or higher increased from 45 percent in 2023 to 53 percent in 2025, and 63 percent of the graduating class completed at least one AP course.
Pascoe
“When you have the right people in the right place, students thrive,” HSE Schools Board of Trustees President Tiffany Pascoe said. “The results shared at this work session demonstrate that HSE is not only outperforming state averages, but we are also actively working toward our goal of being the best in the state. What makes this especially meaningful is seeing 17 buildings working in alignment to drive these outcomes. My gratitude goes to our leaders and staff for these outstanding accomplishments.”
A central component of Innovate 2028 is expanding career-connected learning. All ninth graders now participate in Freshman Seminar, where they explore career pathways and align academic planning with future goals. The Board has approved 25 new Career and Technical Education courses over the past two years, and all career-focused Networks are on track to be fully operational by the close of the 2025-26 academic year.
Professional development for educators remains foundational to these efforts. Through Title II funding and the district’s partnership with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET), educators participate in structured collaboration designed to strengthen instruction and improve student outcomes.
The district will continue providing updates as Innovate 2028 implementation progresses. More information on the academic update is available at this link.
