Plainfield, Indiana | Elementary & Middle School | Enrollment: 272 students
Client Overview
St. Susanna School, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade, blends faith-based learning with a strong commitment to academic excellence. In the 2018–2019 school year, the school partnered with Tools for Success to engage a K–12 education consulting firm experienced in instructional coaching, student data analysis, and curriculum development. The partnership centered on strengthening data-informed instruction, updating curriculum maps, and rebuilding instructional consistency across grade levels following teacher turnover.
Challenges / Opportunities
- Data-Driven Instruction: Teachers needed professional development to better collect, interpret, and use student data to guide classroom instruction.
- Curriculum Mapping & Alignment: A new textbook adoption required cohesive mapping and pacing aligned with Indiana Academic Standards.
- Teacher Turnover: Frequent staffing changes in middle school ELA and math led to inconsistent instruction and gaps in student performance.
Solutions Implemented by Tools for Success
- Pathway to Success – Steps 1–3: A multi-phase framework that guides schools through assessment, implementation, and sustainability to ensure long-term instructional improvement.
- Principal Coaching: Targeted mentoring to strengthen school leadership, improve instructional feedback, and sustain a data-driven school culture.
- New Teacher Support Program: Personalized training, mentoring, and classroom modeling to help new teachers quickly gain confidence and deliver high-quality instruction.
Results & Impact
- ELA Achievement: The new middle school English teacher achieved an 18-point gain in student proficiency, rising from 72% to 90% between 6th and 7th grade.
- Math Achievement: The new middle school math teacher saw a 28-point proficiency increase, from 52% to 80%, reflecting strong student growth.
- Teacher Growth: Staff reported greater confidence using data, improved instructional alignment, and stronger collaboration across grade levels.