Overview
The 2024–2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) results for Mater International Academy, Miami provide a comprehensive snapshot of academic performance across English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. According to Lumos Learning’s official analysis, the data highlights strong literacy gains and areas needing targeted math intervention, offering a roadmap for continued academic improvement.
Overall School Performance
A total of 91 students participated in the FAST assessments for both ELA and Math. The results are as follows:
- Math: 42 students (46%) performed at or above grade level.
- ELA: 50 students (55%) performed at or above grade level.
On average, 51% of students met or exceeded grade-level expectations. However, 15% remain at Level 1 (requiring intensive intervention), and 35% at Level 2 (needing targeted support). This reflects a balanced academic profile, with notable literacy strength and math areas for reinforcement.
Performance by Grade and Subject
Grade 3: A Strong Start
- ELA: 55% met grade-level standards.
- Math: 60% met grade-level standards.
Third graders demonstrated the most consistent performance across subjects, reflecting solid foundational literacy and numeracy instruction. The 60% Math proficiency rate is one of the highest in the school, indicating strong conceptual understanding.
Grade 4: A Year of Transition
- ELA: 41% met grade-level standards.
- Math: 44% met grade-level standards.
Grade 4 shows a moderate decline from Grade 3 performance levels. The drop in ELA proficiency suggests challenges with complex comprehension and analytical reading. Similarly, Math proficiency of 44% points to the need for reinforced numeracy instruction and problem-solving strategies.
Grade 5: A Tale of Two Subjects
- ELA: 75% met or exceeded grade-level standards.
- Math: 30% met grade-level standards.
Grade 5 ELA stands out as the highest-performing area in the school, with 18 out of 24 students demonstrating mastery. Conversely, Math proficiency drops significantly, emphasizing the need for targeted support in advanced concepts and test readiness before middle school.
Proficiency Level Distribution
| Performance Level | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| Level 5 (Advanced) | 2% |
| Level 4 | 19% |
| Level 3 (Proficient) | 30% |
| Level 2 | 35% |
| Level 1 (Below Basic) | 15% |
Nearly half of all students (51%) demonstrate proficiency (Levels 3–5), while 50% remain below benchmark. This highlights the need for systematic, differentiated instruction to lift mid- and lower-performing learners.
Comparative Analysis by Grade and Subject
| Grade | Subject | % Meeting Standard | Performance Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 | ELA | 55% | Strong foundational literacy, consistent performance. |
| Grade 3 | Math | 60% | High numeracy; strong early instruction evident. |
| Grade 4 | ELA | 41% | Needs comprehension and fluency reinforcement. |
| Grade 4 | Math | 44% | Requires conceptual practice and problem-solving focus. |
| Grade 5 | ELA | 75% | Top-performing area; mastery in reading and writing. |
| Grade 5 | Math | 30% | Lowest performance; critical need for intervention. |
Grade 5 ELA leads with exceptional performance, while Grade 5 Math highlights an area of concern. Grades 3 and 4 maintain steady progress, aligning with regional norms.
Context within Miami-Dade and State Benchmarks
- Above Average: Grade 3 Math (60%) and Grade 5 ELA (75%) exceed both district and state averages.
- Below Average: Grade 4 ELA (41%) and Grade 5 Math (30%) fall below county and state performance levels.
These outcomes reflect strong early numeracy and advanced literacy, with challenges emerging in mid-grade reading comprehension and upper-grade math complexity.
Strategic Insights for Academic Growth
- Diagnostic Assessments: Conduct back-to-school diagnostic testing to identify learning gaps and target instruction.
- Assessment Diversity: Integrate tech-enhanced and timed assessments to build familiarity with FAST testing conditions.
- Individualized Study Plans: Personalize learning pathways using progress monitoring to address specific skill gaps.
- Teacher Professional Development: Implement FAST-aligned PD sessions focusing on data-driven instruction; such PD can yield up to a 21 percentile improvement.
- Practice-Based Growth: Introduce weekly structured practice (45 minutes) via Lumos StepUp or equivalent platforms for consistent improvement.
Projected Impact with Lumos Implementation
| Subject | Current % Meeting Standard | Projected Gain | Potential New % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 3 ELA | 55% | +9% | 64% |
| Grade 3 Math | 60% | +14% | 74% |
| Grade 4 ELA | 41% | +7% | 48% |
| Grade 4 Math | 44% | +5% | 49% |
| Grade 5 ELA | 75% | +17% | 92% |
| Grade 5 Math | 30% | +6% | 36% |
These projections indicate that integrating Lumos programs and PD could substantially boost the school’s overall proficiency rate, positioning it among higher-performing institutions within Miami-Dade.
Conclusion
The FAST 2024–2025 results showcase Mater International Academy as a school demonstrating both academic resilience and growth potential. With over half of its students achieving proficiency and standout performance in Grade 5 ELA and Grade 3 Math, the academy is well-positioned for further advancement. Through targeted instruction, professional development, and consistent practice, the school can strengthen both literacy and numeracy outcomes in the coming academic year.