Southridge Middle School students earn #1 in the state on ILEARN Math performance
Southridge Middle School’s eighth-grade students earned a major statewide distinction on the 2026 ILEARN assessment. The students, now freshmen at Southridge High School, scored the highest passing rate among eighth-graders statewide during the 2025–26 school year.
For eighth-grade math teacher Myra Schnuck, the accomplishment reflects the students’ effort and determination throughout the year.
“What an incredible achievement for our students, SMS, and the community!” Schnuck said. “I’m so proud of the students for their hard work during class, completion of homework, and perseverance on the test. My hope is that they continue to believe in themselves and do well in their future math classes.”
While the achievement belongs first to the students, district leaders say the results also reflect years of work by teachers and staff throughout Southwest Dubois County School Corporation.
“Having the highest 8th grade math pass rate in Indiana is an incredible accomplishment by our students and a tremendous reflection of the work happening throughout the SW Dubois School District,” Superintendent Chip Mehaffey said. “Myra Schnuck, SMS Principal Betsy Lange, and Director of Curriculum Melissa Boeglin deserve tremendous credit, as do the many teachers who built the foundation for these students.”
SW Dubois has focused on aligning curriculum with state standards, using student data to guide instruction, and providing strong remediation programs at the elementary and middle school levels. These district-wide efforts give students the time and support they need to master challenging standards and have contributed to the success seen in the classroom.
In fact, the success extended beyond math. When eighth-grade Math and English/Language Arts ILEARN performance were combined, Southridge Middle School’s eighth graders ranked 5th in the state. The contributions of all eighth-grade teachers played an important role in the students’ success, along with finding unique ways to motivate and encourage a growth mindset. This dynamic team includes Lori Smith (English teacher), Brad Ohanian, Jeff Tempel, Diana Rico Sandoval, Shaylon Pierce, and Erin Marshall.
For Southwest Dubois, the statewide achievement highlights the impact of a district-wide approach to curriculum, instruction, intervention, and data analysis—and, most importantly, the hard work of the students themselves.
