Southwestern School District Recognized for Impressive Gains

Partnership with Solution Tree professional learning company credited for boosting student achievement

Jan. 28, 2026 at 1:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Southwestern School District has been recognized by Solution Tree, a professional learning company, for its successful implementation of the organization's recommendations and the resulting increase in student achievement. The district began its partnership with Solution Tree about three years ago and has seen significant improvements in areas like ELA and math proficiency.

Why it matters

The recognition from Solution Tree highlights the positive impact that targeted professional development and collaborative efforts can have on improving student outcomes, especially in districts that were struggling in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This story provides an example of how school districts can work with external partners to drive meaningful change.

The details

Since partnering with Solution Tree in 2023, the Southwestern School District has implemented a number of the organization's recommendations, including forming a guiding coalition, conducting district-wide book studies, using online learning platforms, and redesigning schedules to allow for daily intervention blocks. These efforts have led to measurable improvements, with ELA proficiency for 6th graders rising from 36% in 2024 to 68% in 2025, math scores increasing by 10.5%, and science proficiency in grades 5-8 going from 50% to 54%.

  • The Southwestern School District began its partnership with Solution Tree in the summer of 2023.
  • In the 2023-2024 school year, the district implemented its first district-wide book study and started using the Global PD Teams online learning platform.
  • The 2024-2025 school year saw the district hold a two-day collaborative workshop on response to intervention (RTI).
  • The 2025-2026 school year brought additional resources and continued advancement of the concepts already implemented.

The players

Southwestern School District

A school district that has seen significant improvements in student achievement after partnering with the professional learning company Solution Tree.

Solution Tree

A professional learning company dedicated to raising the bar for student achievement through educational resources, events, and strategies for teachers and administrators.

Molly Moore

The superintendent of the Southwestern School District.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We gathered some data for them, we did some interviews. Then they published that in a document that's available in a PDF. So it's a way for them to advertise the success of districts that are utilizing professional learning communities. For us it was a way to, you know, just see the progress that we've made.”

— Molly Moore, Superintendent

What’s next

The district plans to continue building on the successful strategies and partnerships that have driven its recent academic gains.

The takeaway

The Southwestern School District's recognition by Solution Tree demonstrates the power of collaborative, data-driven professional development to transform student outcomes, even in the wake of the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This story provides a model for other districts seeking to work with external partners to drive meaningful and sustainable improvements.