Around Campus News

 

At Media-Providence Friends School, we are deeply committed to nurturing the growth of every student. We know that strong foundational skills in reading and math are the building blocks for all future learning. We are excited to share an update on how we are leveraging an effective new tool to ensure every child in our Lower School gets the support they need, precisely when they need it.
 

Introducing Acadience: Our Data-Driven Approach to 

Foundational Skills 

After a successful two-year pilot, MPFS has officially adopted the Acadience benchmark assessments for students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.

What is Acadience? It’s a brief, highly effective screening tool that carefully tracks students’ progress in key early reading and math skills. We administer these assessments in the fall, winter, and spring (spring only for Kindergarten) to get a clear, timely snapshot of learning.

Why is this important? Acadience results, paired with our teachers' daily classroom assessments and observations, create a complete and holistic picture of each child's learning journey. This data-driven approach allows us to:

• Identify students who may benefit from additional support early on.

• Guide our classroom instruction to meet evolving needs.

• Ensure timely and effective interventions.

Personalized Support: Goals and Next Steps

Our goal is simple: to make sure every child is on track for success.

After each assessment, students receive a benchmark score: Above, At, Below, or Well Below Benchmark.

• At or Above Benchmark: Student is on track!

• Below or Well Below Benchmark: Signals a need for additional, targeted support.

For students who need a little extra reinforcement, support is always highly individualized, flexible, and responsive to their developing skills. This may include:

• Progress Monitoring: A quick check-in every 3–4 weeks to track individual growth with minimal disruption to the student's day.

• Targeted Sessions: Weekly, focused one-on-one or small-group instruction provided during the school day to strengthen foundational skills.

Meet Our Dedicated Learning Support Team

A dedicated team of faculty and teachers ensures the Acadience program is implemented with care and expertise.

• Classroom Teachers: Lead the whole-group assessments and integrate findings into daily instruction.

• Shannon Hohl (Lower School Coordinator): Supports individual benchmark and progress monitoring assessments to track ongoing skill development.

• Casey Styons (Learning Specialist): Conducts individual assessments and provides targeted one-on-one and small-group support sessions.

Partnering with Families: Our Collaborative Commitment

We deeply value collaboration with our families. We see our partnership as crucial to ensuring your child’s learning plan is responsive, individualized, and transparent.

If your child is receiving small group or one-on-one support from Casey Styons, here is how we ensure you stay informed:

• Report Card Comments: Casey will summarize progress in the targeted support area in the report card.

• Biannual Conferences: Casey will invite families to additional dedicated conferences in February and May.

  • February Conference: Focuses on reviewing mid-year progress and adjusting goals or supports as needed.

  • May Conference: Highlights growth achieved throughout the year and outlines recommendations for continued support and summer practice.

We are committed to building a strong foundation for every student's success at Media-Providence Friends School. This dedicated approach to foundational skills, supported by expert faculty and transparent communication, is how we prepare our students to thrive.

If you have questions about this or any of our programming, please contact Associate Head of School for Admissions & Program, Angela DiMaria or submit an inquiry to learn more!