The Newhall School District is celebrating another year of high-achieving test scores in multiple disciplines, as it gears up for an open house event to help inform parents about their choices in local education.

The most recent state testing results revealed 69 percent of Newhall’s matriculating sixth graders met or exceeded standards in mathematics, and in English-language arts, 77 percent of Newhall’s sixth-graders met or exceeded standards.

Such close results in math and ELA is very rare for any district, especially with results this strong.

“It’s more than obvious that Newhall’s results are a product of our teachers’ willingness to learn and apply research-based strategies and, no less important, the result of their belief that all students can succeed,” said Superintendent Jeff Pelzel.

“Led by our teachers and highly involved families, our entire system maintains its focus on what works best for students,” Pelzel said. “We work as one big team, always striving to improve. This is truly the essence of Newhall’s culture of excellence.”

In spring 2018, the state’s new assessment system, the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, completed its fourth year of administration. The CAASPP is a rigorous test that gauges grades 3-6 students’ mastery of mathematics, reading and writing concepts under the Common Core State Standards.

For each of the four years of CAASSP’s administration, Newhall students have excelled in both English language arts and math. As for Newhall’s performance compared to other schools in the Los Angeles County and around the state, few districts come close.

“Success yields more success, but it only happens as long as we work strategically and diligently,” Pelzel said. “We are so very proud of our students, teachers and site staff. They are remarkable.”

The district will hold its annual open house for parents considering enrollment options for their children on January 31 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Old Orchard Elementary.

“We’re ready to push those results upward in 2019,” Pelzel said.