Standardized Testing Results

At Mid-South Gifted Academy, our focus is on meaningful learning, not teaching to a test. We have seen the detrimental effects of excessive standardized test prep, and we are adamantly opposed to sacrificing genuine understanding and creativity for the sake of test prep.

That being said, we are incredibly proud of our students’ performance on standardized tests, especially given that we do not dedicate extensive time to test preparation or teach “to the test.” Our approach is simple: we focus on fostering a deep understanding of academic concepts and the critical thinking skills needed to apply them.

For context, our students spend minimal time preparing for The Iowa Tests. Rather than training students to anticipate specific questions or techniques, we encourage them to draw on their knowledge, think creatively, and use problem-solving skills.

The Iowa Tests are a nationally normed standardized assessment, widely used since 1935 by states and private schools to measure grade-level performance in core academic areas. 

Our approach ensures that students build a deep foundation of knowledge and develop critical thinking skills that go far beyond what any standardized test can measure. We believe that true learning happens when students are encouraged to explore, problem-solve, and apply their skills in real-world contexts, and our students’ test scores shows that when you focus on that, the outstanding scores come naturally!