The PRiME Center at Saint Louis University has officially recognized eight schools within the Riverview Gardens School District with a total of 14 awards for demonstrating extraordinary student academic growth during the 2024–25 school year and multi-year trend periods.
The PRiME Center’s "Beating the Odds" awards celebrate Missouri schools that serve high-poverty student populations while achieving top-tier growth in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The recognized schools and their respective honors include:
Glasgow Elementary: English Language Arts (2024-25), Mathematics (2024-25), English Language Arts (3-Year Trend)
Highland Elementary: English Language Arts (2024-25)
Koch Elementary: English Language Arts (2024-25), Mathematics (2024-25), English Language Arts (3-Year Trend)
Lemasters Elementary: Mathematics (3-Year Trend)
Lewis and Clark Elementary: English Language Arts (2024-25)
Moline Elementary: Mathematics (3-Year Trend)
R. G. Central Middle School: Mathematics (2024-25), English Language Arts (3-Year Trend), Mathematics (3-Year Trend)
Westview Middle School: Mathematics (2024-25)
"These awards highlight the exceptional work happening across Riverview Gardens," said Colin Hitt, Ph.D., executive director of the PRiME Center. "Promoting high levels of growth among students from high-poverty backgrounds is no small feat—it speaks directly to the deep commitment, talent, and leadership of educators across the district who are making a real difference every day."
The PRiME Center recognition is another example of RGSD’s tremendous academic growth. RGSD ranked 5th in overall APR growth among St. Louis-area school districts for 2024–25, and 10th out of 29 districts for cumulative growth between 2021–22 and 2024–25. The district has improved its APR score by a remarkable 22 points since 2021-22. The district’s APR score is expected to continue to rise at the next State report.
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our amazing building leaders, teachers and students,” stated Superintendent Tanya Patton, Ed.D. “I am extremely proud that Riverview Gardens School District continues to show tremendous growth.”
The PRiME Center uses advanced statistical models to measure student growth by comparing previous academic performance with current scores. Because standardized test scores often reflect factors outside a school’s control, the PRiME Center believes that student growth is a fairer measure of how well schools are doing at promoting student learning.
For more information about the PRiME Center and its mission, please visit https://www.primecenter.org.