WEST SPRINGFIELD — Students in West Springfield have grown academically this year, according to West Springfield School Superintendent Stefania Raschilla. Six out of the seven schools with “accountability percentiles” tracked by the state increased their scores.

The accountability percentile measures schools on metrics such as MCAS scores, growth from last year, academic achievement, chronic absenteeism, and English language proficiency among students with a different native language.

This year, the West Springfield school district had an overall accountability percentile of 74. In 2019, the district was at 73. Raschilla said that, in another year, schools that have not already surpassed their pre-coronavirus benchmarks will do so.

“We are closing the gap in most schools,” Raschilla said. “The high school is right where it was back in 2019.”

Raschilla said West Springfield fifth graders did very well. For example, the fifth-grade math percentile districtwide was 65; the state percentile is 50.

“Our fifth grade in general did better than any other grade,” she said. “They performed very well, which is exciting as they go into middle school.”

Meanwhile, she said, the middle school struggles in all grade levels and areas. Raschilla said school officials are using the data to send new instruction materials and other support to the grades and demographics that need them the most, including English language learners and students with disabilities.

“By targeting students and making sure we’re using the best curriculum we have access to, the performance of students will change,” she said.

Fausey School, one of five elementary schools in West Springfield serving grades 1-5, was recognized by the state as one of just 65 schools statewide that met or exceeded its target MCAS scores, with 90% of students meeting or exceeding their targets. The school’s accountability percentile is 73. At a Sept. 27 ceremony, Mayor William Reichelt awarded the school a certificate from his office honoring this achievement. Speakers congratulated students on their hard work, saying each student deserved a round of applause for their scores.

Raschilla gave several reasons for Fausey’s high performance. Fausey, she said, supports students socially and emotionally as well as academically. It also provides other classes that engage students, such as art and music. Most importantly, the classroom teachers share their expertise with each other, especially in science, in which the school performed well.

“If you work as a team, it moves the entire school,” she said.

Raschilla said that sharing practices in science can be replicated at other elementary schools in town, but said it will take time.