Three St. Vrain Valley elementary schools earned prestigious national i-Ready Super Stretch School awards for exceptional growth in reading and mathematics. Erie Elementary, Lyons Elementary and Niwot Elementary join a select group of schools recognized for outstanding academic progress.

i-Ready is an innovative educational technology program that supports personalized learning for students in grades K–12, focusing on English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. The Growth Model used by i-Ready includes two key measures: Typical Growth and Stretch Growth. Typical Growth represents the annual progress expected of an average student, while Stretch Growth outlines the accelerated progress needed for a student to reach grade-level proficiency. This model promotes transparency and sets higher expectations, motivating students to reach their full potential.

To be eligible for the i-Ready Super Stretch Schools award, a school must have a student population of more than 200, and at least 55% of its students must achieve Stretch Growth in a subject area. This milestone is crucial for learners who initially scored below grade level on their i-Ready diagnostic assessment, as it sets them on the path to proficiency. For those already at or above grade level, it helps them maintain advanced proficiency.

This year’s honorees include:

• Erie Elementary – Reading (55%)
• Lyons Elementary – Reading (60%) and Math (59%), marking the school’s first-ever math award
• Niwot Elementary – Reading (56%)

Nationally, only 112 schools earned the award in ELA, with 11 in Colorado and three in St. Vrain. In mathematics, 85 schools nationwide were recognized, with just five in Colorado and one in St. Vrain.