Collaborative, Data-Driven Success: How a Virginia School District is Focusing on Student Growth

When Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS)—a large, diverse district in Virginia serving over 81,000 students across 100 schools, inclusive of special centers—noticed that even high-achieving students weren’t growing at their full potential, they knew it was time for a change. By combining data insights with collaborative strategies and intentional alignment across district initiatives, LCPS is addressing gaps and redefining what success looks like for all students.

Growth as the Key to Unlocking Potential

In many schools, high test scores can mask underlying challenges. Often, students in the high-achievement, low-growth category can end up coasting academically without realizing their full potential. Research from NWEA highlights that tracking growth rather than proficiency alone is essential for equitable educational outcomes, as it captures a broader range of student needs and abilities.

For LCPS, addressing this gap has been a priority. “The quadrant reports from MAP Growth were a game-changer for us,” says Stefanie LaPolla, Ed.D., Supervisor, Multi-Tiered System of Supports at LCPS. “They helped us see that even high-performing students weren’t always growing. That realization has driven critical conversations about how to challenge every learner.”

To ensure all students progress, LCPS tracks both Conditional Growth Percentile (CGP) and proficiency levels. During the last assessment cycle, over 70% of LCPS students met or exceeded growth targets in reading and math. While static proficiency metrics showed that 85% of students were performing at grade level, growth data revealed that groups like English Learners required more targeted interventions. 

The Power of Collaboration in a Large Division

Serving over 81,000 students requires a structured and unified approach. LCPS has embraced collaboration as the foundation of its work, creating systems that ensure consistency across departments like curriculum, instruction, and student support services.

For instance, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) play a critical role in LCPS’s strategy. These groups of educators meet monthly to analyze MAP Growth data, discuss patterns, and refine instructional practices. According to district data, over 92% of LCPS schools report improved collaboration between instructional staff and support teams as a direct result of these PLC meetings. This alignment ensures that strategies developed in one school can be replicated across others, promoting equitable support for all students, regardless of location. The PLC process also enables educators to connect NWEA’s MAP Growth data with instructional resources in a curriculum like HMH Into Reading, enabling them to differentiate and personalize learning for students.

LCPS’s focus on collaboration extends to its tiered intervention systems. By integrating MAP Growth data into its Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the district has standardized how schools respond to students in need. This effort has led to a 15% reduction in Tier 2 and Tier 3 referrals—a clear indication that strengthening core instruction and aligning practices can prevent students from needing intensive interventions.

Empowering Educators and Students with Data

Data is only as powerful as the people who use it. So the district supports professional development to ensure teachers are confident in interpreting MAP Growth data and applying insights in their classrooms. 

LCPS also recognizes the potential of involving students in the process. By encouraging students to set goals based on their growth data, the district fosters a sense of ownership and accountability. 

“When students take ownership of their learning, it changes the game,” says Dr. LaPolla. “They start to see assessments not as a judgment, but as a tool for self-improvement.”

By empowering both educators and students with their data, LCPS lays the groundwork for a culture of continuous improvement and lifelong learning.

Engaging Families in the Growth Conversation

Families play an essential role in supporting student success, and LCPS works to ensure they are active partners in the process. While MAP Growth data is shared during parent-teacher conferences, the district goes further by offering resources and workshops to deepen family understanding of what growth metrics mean and how they can support their children at home.

Last year, LCPS hosted more than 150 parent workshops, focusing on topics like interpreting MAP Growth reports and creating effective learning environments at home. Families also have access to digital tools, including NWEA’s Parent Toolkit, which provides step-by-step guidance on supporting academic growth.

The impact of these efforts is clear. Recent family engagement surveys revealed that 87% of parents feel confident in supporting their child’s learning goals after participating in these initiatives. By building trust and providing practical resources, LCPS strengthens the partnership between home and school.

Alignment: The Secret to Sustained Success

In large districts, new initiatives can sometimes lead to disconnected efforts. LCPS combats this by ensuring that all programs—from curriculum implementation to interventions—are aligned and cohesive.

As LCPS rolls out a new literacy curriculum with HMH Into Reading, it’s leveraging MAP Growth data to seamlessly monitor outcomes and ensure effective implementation. 

This alignment isn’t just about achieving short-term gains—it’s about creating a sustainable framework for success. By asking critical questions—like how data can inform instruction and whether core supports are strong enough to minimize interventions—LCPS keeps its focus on the big picture.

Lessons for Other Districts

Loudoun County’s journey offers valuable insights for districts of all sizes:

• Prioritize Growth: Static proficiency data can overlook student needs. Focusing on growth ensures that every learner, from struggling students to high achievers, continues to progress.
• Foster Collaboration: Consistent communication and relationship-building across departments lay the foundation for success. LCPS’s use of PLCs and aligned frameworks demonstrates the power of intentional teamwork.
• Empower Stakeholders: Data is most effective when educators, students, and families are equipped to use it. Providing training and fostering goal-setting build a culture of shared accountability.
• Align Efforts: Connecting initiatives across the district ensures consistency and equity, preventing gaps or silos from undermining progress.

A New Era of Collaboration with NWEA and HMH

Loudoun County Public Schools’ story showcases the impact of prioritizing growth, fostering collaboration, and aligning initiatives to support all students.

The partnership between NWEA and HMH ushers in an exciting new chapter for districts like LCPS, which uses HMH products including Into Reading, Read 180, English 3D, and Go Math. By uniting HMH’s full suite of resources with NWEA’s robust assessment tools like MAP Growth, this collaboration enables districts to seamlessly link data to targeted interventions, curriculum support, and professional development. This integration simplifies decision-making for educators, ensuring they can move from insight to action faster and more effectively.

For LCPS, this means deeper alignment across initiatives, more personalized support for students, and stronger collaboration among educators, families, and students. For other districts, the combined expertise of NWEA and HMH offers a scalable, cohesive approach to fostering growth and equity—creating opportunities for every learner to succeed.

Together, we’re setting a new standard for data-driven education, making it easier for schools to focus on what matters most: empowering every student to reach their full potential.

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Let us help your district transform data into meaningful results. Learn more about how NWEA and HMH offers connected solutions to ensure growth for all students.