West Platte students posted some of the KCI Conference’s strongest state assessment results this year during the board’s Sept. 16 meeting, but administrators told the Board of Education that high district averages would not keep them from focusing on students struggling with attendance, grades or behavior.

The West Platte High School composite score on Missouri’s four required end-of-course exams was 67.7%, ranking first among the conference’s eight school districts. East Buchanan placed second at 58.2%.

West Platte led the conference in three of the four required subjects. The district recorded proficiency or advanced rates of 78.4% in English II, 78.4% in Algebra I and 58% in biology. The district placed third in American government with 56.1%.

Across all nine end-of-course exams administered by the high school, 71.4% of the 475 tests resulted in proficient or advanced scores.

High school Principal John Kruse said teachers reviewed the results before the school year and identified standards requiring additional attention. The district also developed instructional “playbooks” using state testing specifications and local performance data.

At West Platte Middle School, the average across seven required MAP assessments was 69.5%. The school recorded five first-place conference finishes, one second-place finish and one third-place finish.

West Platte placed first in seventh-grade English language arts and math and in all three eighth-grade subjects: English language arts, math and science. Seventh-grade math had the middle school’s highest proficiency rate at 81%.

Middle school Principal Mitch Giger said the school’s assessment average has increased from 55.3% in 2022.

Superintendent Brock Dover said the results reflect the work of the district’s teachers and students but added that the district’s long-term goal remains reaching 80% proficiency.

Administrators also outlined new systems intended to identify students who may be falling behind despite the district’s overall academic performance.

The middle school recorded 325 quarter D’s and F’s during the 2025-26 school year. Its goal is to reduce that number to fewer than 260 this year.

Giger said attendance and discipline records showed a strong connection to poor grades. Of 19 middle school students whose attendance fell below 90% last year, 17 also appeared on the D/F list. Of 16 students with at least three disciplinary write-ups, 14 appeared on the list.

The middle school has identified approximately 20 students as at risk and set a goal of reducing that number by 20%, or about four students. Attendance, grades, discipline and social-emotional concerns will be used to identify students needing additional assistance.

The high school is adopting a similar early-warning system. Students may be flagged based on attendance, D’s or F’s, office referrals or counselor concerns. Administrators plan to use tutoring and other support periods to intervene before students lose course credit.

Kruse said a student survey also found that only 54% of high school students reported liking coming to school. The high school counselor has begun brief individual meetings with students to better understand their experiences and identify those needing follow-up.

In other business, the board unanimously approved its consent agenda, including minutes, contracts, $795,493.17 in bills and vouchers, and a list of surplus equipment.

The board also voted 7-0 to approve the district’s 2026-27 special education compliance plan, transportation routes and a local tax-effort calculation of $17,302.46 for out-of-district tuition.

All seven board members voted to enter a closed session at 6:18 p.m. to discuss legal matters and privileged communications. The board adjourned at 6:38 p.m.