Grandview is fortunate to be part of one of Missouri’s top-performing counties in terms of student success. Districts like Festus and Fox have long set the standard, and even the lower-performing districts in the county consistently rank in the top third of the state.

So, when the recent state rankings showed Grandview in the bottom 10%, it understandably sparked frustration among many in the community. While the numbers are technically accurate, they don’t tell the whole story.

Three years ago, Grandview took a significant step by launching a statewide virtual school in partnership with Stride K12, under Missouri’s new Missouri Online Course Access Program (MoCAP) law. Our program, the Missouri Online Virtual Academy (MOVA), serves students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. Last year, MOVA had about 2,800 students from across Missouri, with only a handful from within Grandview’s district. This year, enrollment has almost doubled, reaching nearly 5,500 students.

MOVA’s test scores, which are included in Grandview’s overall performance data, have been on the lower end of the spectrum, finishing in the bottom 5% of the state. But this doesn’t tell the full story of MOVA's student body or its unique challenges, or that of Grandview on-campus students either.

In contrast, Grandview’s on-campus students performed quite well. In fact, our on-campus students outperformed the state average, with elementary school students shining—ranking in the top 10% of Missouri in Math and 2nd in the county, as well as in the top 17% in English. Middle and high school students also fared well, with scores in the top half of the state for subjects like Math, English, Biology and Social Studies. These achievements are a point of pride for our staff, students, and the community at large.

However, MOVA’s online program did face challenges when it came to state testing. That said, I believe the program itself is something to be proud of. MOVA offers educational opportunities for a diverse range of students: high-achievers seeking flexibility, students who struggle in traditional classroom settings for medical or emotional reasons, and at-risk students looking for an alternative on-campus education or long-term suspension. This variety of students is what makes MOVA unique and valuable.

MOVA's test scores don't truly reflect the performance of their students. Here’s why:

1. State Testing Requirements: Current laws mandate that all MOVA students must take their state tests in person, but unlike students in traditional schools, many MOVA students take all their exams in one day. This means they are asked to spend 12-15 hours in a hotel conference room or rented hall, testing for the same subjects that traditional students spread out over several weeks. It's hard to imagine how this scenario can bring out the best performance in students who have already opted for online education for reasons ranging from preference to necessity.

2. True Open Enrollment Challenges: An open enrollment bill is currently making its way through the state legislature, which would require students to commit to their school choice by December 1st of the previous year. With MoCAP there is no such requirement, students can switch to virtual learning on short notice, which leads to a high turnover rate and gaps in student learning.

3. The Nature of Virtual Learning: Moving from a traditional classroom to virtual education is not a simple transition, especially for at-risk students who may struggle with the self-discipline and adaptability required in an online environment. This can make the learning curve even steeper for some.

Despite these challenges, I’m proud of what MOVA represents. Just as our Virtual Summer Institute (MOSI) overcame similar hurdles when we started in 2011, it became a state-wide success, MOVA too has the potential to grow and evolve. Although it may never be a top performer in the state, it provides an invaluable service to thousands of students who might otherwise struggle in a traditional classroom setting—or have no educational options at all.

Finally, it’s important to note that the revenue from our partnership with Stride K12 has allowed Grandview to make significant improvements, including raising teacher pay to the third-highest in Jefferson County at $44,250, increasing the pay for classified staff, and supporting a four-day school week. These funds have also contributed to smaller class sizes, updated curriculum, and much-needed improvements to our campus.

For all these reasons, Grandview has a lot to be proud of. We’re not just improving test scores; we’re providing opportunities, flexibility, and a better educational experience for all our students.

With Eagle pride,

Matt Zoph, Superintendent of Schools