San Miguel Eighth Graders Thrive Despite Dire Nationwide Reading Results

“In the latest release of federal test scores, educators had hoped to see widespread recovery from the learning loss incurred during the Covid-19 pandemic,” The New York Times reports. “Instead, the results, from last year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress, tell a grim tale, especially in reading: the slide in achievement has only continued.”

But not at San Miguel School. In stark contrast to the national trend, San Miguel students’ reading skills are flourishing.

San Miguel’s reading program has a long track record of impressive results. While many students enter sixth grade below grade level, their learning accelerates rapidly to close the gap. On average, students improve their National Percentile Ranking (NPR) in reading by more than 21 points.

Following the pandemic, when students arrived with greater learning deficits than ever before, San Miguel responded by accelerating their progress even further. The Class of 2024, who began in the fall of 2021 after significantly disrupted learning, increased their reading NPR by an astounding 27 points. The momentum continues: this year’s eighth-grade class just achieved the highest reading scores in San Miguel’s history on the High School Placement Test.

Why are San Miguel students, 85% of whom qualify as English Language Learners, succeeding when others are not?

Branyel (Class of 2026) poses with the vast array of books he has read from the San Miguel library.

A Culture of Reading

One look at the San Miguel schedule reveals that literacy is a top priority. In addition to the 80-minute daily block dedicated to English Language Arts (about double the time as other schools), all students are enrolled in a daily Independent Reading class, where they devote forty minutes to reading books at their specific reading levels and take comprehension quizzes. Students often visit San Miguel’s cozy campus library to check out classics, current hits, and brand-new releases.

But reading isn’t limited to these periods. “At San Miguel, we believe every class is a reading class. This is the fundamental standard to which all teachers instruct and inspire their students,” explains President, Dr. David Palank. Reading is the foundation of learning in every subject, from math to science, history to the arts. Every class requires students to interpret, analyze, and apply information from texts.

“Every teacher in the building emphasizes the link between success in reading and success in general,” explains Grace Babcock, who teaches sixth-grade English Language Arts and manages the library. “It is amazing to see how passionate teachers from different disciplines are in setting the expectations for students to read their self-selected Independent Reading books if they finish classwork early or have quiet time. Students are never idle because they are always encouraged to read.”

Collaboration, Rigor, and Engagement

Assistant Principal Catie Cornell credits the faculty with much of the students’ success in reading. “There is no doubt that these results are a testament to our excellent teaching staff…our teachers create engaging yet demanding tasks that require the highest form of thinking from our students.”

Carlos (Class of 2025), dressed to preside as judge in a reading of 12 Angry Men

Every day, faculty members implement creative strategies to engage students. Teachers often set the scene for stories with music and visuals, have students read with partners, and facilitate interactive stations to analyze different components of stories. Students also get opportunities to fully bring texts to life; eighth grade recently conducted a mock trial rooted in textual evidence from 12 Angry Men.

Collaboration among faculty is a staple of instruction at San Miguel. Sixth grade explored Ancient Greece in social studies as they began The Lightning Thief in language arts; students built an understanding of Greek gods, which gave them helpful context for the middle grade fantasy that features a protagonist embroiled with the deities in the 21st century. These interdisciplinary connections are possible thanks to the foresight and teamwork of the teachers, whose joint efforts provide an elevated learning experience for their students.

Sixth-grade students read with partners and explore themes in The Lighting Thief.

A Model That Defies the Odds

Every element of San Miguel’s reading approach is intentional, and teachers’ dedication to their students’ success, along with their passion for learning, drives impressive results. This focus on reading—strategizing to enhance engagement and critical thinking, tracking progress daily, and integrating reading across subjects—creates an environment where students not only build skills, but also develop a true love for reading that continues to serve them for the rest of their lives. For students and teachers, San Miguel’s multifaceted approach is so deeply woven into the fabric of the school that it is almost possible to forget how special it is. But it is this rich academic tapestry that makes all of the difference for our Miguel Men, and helps prepare them for life-long learning and long-term success.