Upcoming Missouri School Pilot Ratings & What It Means for Newburg

Dear Newburg School Community,

In the coming days, you may see news regarding state-issued A–F letter grades for public schools across Missouri. We want you to hear directly from us about what this system is, what it means for our district, and how to interpret the numbers.

The state is developing its first pilot A–F grades for public schools under an executive order signed by Governor Mike Kehoe in January 2026.

Because this is a pilot program in its first year, the system is not final. The initial grade will be based on test results from the 2024–25 school year, and the state is still finalizing how calculations are made. We fully expect the framework to evolve, and as it does, district grades across the state may shift as well. The executive order states that if too many schools earn an A or B, then the grading system will become tougher the following year–making it harder to earn an A, B, C, or D. 

How We View School Performance

We firmly believe in accountability and sharing accurate information about student achievement. However, we also know that a single letter grade cannot tell the full story of a school, its educators, or its students. A complete picture of a school includes academic growth, attendance, extracurricular opportunities, daily relationships that help children thrive, and more.

Missouri already evaluates schools using the established Annual Performance Report (APR). For the most recent school year, Newburg R-II earned an overall APR score of 77%, while consistently earning over 90% of our continuous improvement points in recent years. These established metrics provide a reliable picture of our performance and growth alongside any new state rating. In addition, our focused early literacy initiatives in the elementary are already showing encouraging student progress. 

To help you navigate what is coming, keep in mind that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will release three separate state reports over the next few months:

• Pilot A–F Report Card (October/November) – Based on 2024–25 data

• Annual Performance Report (APR) (December/January) – Based on 2025–26 data

• Second A–F Report Card (Spring) – Based on 2025–26 data

Because these reports rely on different years of data and evolving metrics, scores will likely vary–which can understandably create confusion.

Our Ongoing Commitment

We believe that no state rating can replace what you know as a parent about your child. You know their teachers, their classroom, and the progress they are making. Our responsibility is to work alongside you to help your child meet their educational goals and achieve the best possible outcomes. Just as our students are more than a test score, our district is more than a letter grade. 

We will continue serving every student who walks through our doors, including children with very different needs, circumstances, and starting points. That responsibility is fundamental to who we are, and is something a single letter grade cannot fully capture. We remain deeply committed to the local systems, relationships, and priorities we have built to meet the needs of our students and families.

Once official pilot grades are released, we will review the data, discuss the findings with our Board of Education and staff, and communicate our results directly to you.

Whatever letter the state assigns, our mission remains unchanged: to celebrate successes, tackle areas for growth, and support every student in our district. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

Sincerely,

Doug Dunn

Superintendent

Newburg R-II School District