SW Dubois County School Corporation recognized for student growth and academic impact
The Southwest Dubois County School Corporation announced the outstanding results from a recent statewide analysis evaluating school effectiveness using a “value-added” model—an approach that measures how much schools contribute to student success beyond expected outcomes.
The study found that while 41% to 53% of student performance is influenced by socioeconomic and demographic factors, an equally significant portion of student success is directly tied to the impact of schools themselves (47% to 59%). In this analysis, SW Dubois emerged as a top-performing district, consistently exceeding expectations.
In 2025, SW Dubois earned a +15.0% value-added score in 8th-grade iLearn English Language Arts and Mathematics, placing the district 17th out of 290 districts in the state (Top 6%). This means students performed significantly better than predicted based on demographic factors—highlighting the strength of instruction, support systems, and school leadership across the corporation.
“These results are a direct reflection of the dedication of our teachers, the effort of our students, and the support of our community, said SW Dubois Superintendent Chip Mehaffey. “We are incredibly proud to see SW Dubois recognized for not just performance, but for the impact we are making on student growth. It shows that regardless of where our students start, we are helping them achieve at high levels and exceed expectations.”
The district’s success extends across multiple grade levels and measures:
- 3rd Grade iLearn (2025): +6.7% (68th out of 290 districts) – Top 24%
- 8th Grade iLearn (2025): +15.0% – (17th out of 290 districts) – Top 6%
- SAT College Readiness (2025): +9.7% – (27 out of 290 districts) – Top 10%
Equally important, Southwest Dubois has demonstrated consistency over time, maintaining a nearly identical value-added score in 8th grade from 2022 (+14.7%) to 2025 (+15.0%). This sustained performance indicates that the district’s success is not a one-time result, but rather the outcome of strong, stable systems and instructional practices.
Southwest Dubois’ ability to consistently outperform expectations suggests that its strategies, programs, and learning environment are making a meaningful difference for students.
Southwest Dubois County School Corporation remains committed to building on this momentum through innovative programming, strong community partnerships, and a continued focus on preparing students for success in college, careers, and beyond.
“While we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on the future—continuing to innovate, refine our practices, and ensure every student is prepared for success in college, careers, and life,” said Superintendent Mehaffey.
