State testing — California’s snapshot in time at how well public schools are doing their jobs — shows Manteca Unified is continuing to improve student performance.

Data released earlier this month from the 2025 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress testing shows the 25,700 student strong district continues to make annual gains when it comes to students mastering grade level standards with a:

*0.05 percent increase in English Language Arts.

*0.55 percent increase in mathematics.

*1.77 percent increase in science.

The numbers don’t jump out per se but when going back over the past three years language arts scores, as an example, have improved on an annual basis.

Individual score examples, led by Weston Ranch High in math, shows a steady increase in math gains over the past three years of 9.5 percent to 17 percent.

Other examples of top school performances from 2023-24 to 2024-25 include:

*Brock Elliott Elementary increasing almost 9 percent school-wide in English Language Arts.

*Nile Garden Elementary improved 5 percent in English Language Arts.

*Calla High posted a 5 percent jump in English Language Arts comprehension.

*Sierra High had an 11 percent jump in attaining grade level standards in math.

*Nile Garden earned a 5.5 percent increase in math.

*Joshua Cowell Elementary produced a 5 percent increase in math.

“Students have made progress in all three areas,” noted Lisa Herrin, MUSD’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “We continue to trend in the right direction.”

Data confirms Manteca is making significant strides in addressing student subgroups that face the largest obstacles in being able to master grade level standards.

Testing shows, as an example, foster youth scored a 10 percent gain in math while Yosemite Day School — a program that works with students at high risk based on behavior on the elementary level  so they can grasp academics and transition back into a traditional campus — saw English Language Arts scores jump 21.5 percent.

And when it comes to students not proficient in the English language — a large segment of the school population — shows more students each year are moving toward proficiency.

Sixty three percent of the district’s students last year were proficient when they first entered school.

Twenty-one percent were not considered proficient by state standards.

That said, 16 percent were once classified as English learners but gained proficiency through district efforts to be reclassified as proficient.

Manteca Unified has been successful at instilling skills that allows an increasing percent each year being reclassified as proficient.

That has a big impact on overall district performance at attaining grade level standards given students need to be proficient in English to make strides in math and sciences as well.

Herrin noted teachers testing, identifying, and working effectively with English learners has been consistent.

As such, it has helped the district continue to address student enrollment growth that includes students whose primary language is not English. That means the district can “ensure they receive language testing and targeted support as soon as possible.”

Superintendent Clarke Burke noted the district is able to tailor various state testing  individual  results to identify shortcomings and areas that need work on a one-to-one basis.

The district’s continued focus on standards, pointed out Assistant Superintendent Victoria Brunn, tells teachers what they need to do to help individual students succeed.

Herrin added while the district recognizes the work ahead, “we can also appreciate that data’s highlights, which demonstrate best teaching practices and student and family engagement.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com