September 11, 2026 – Mexico Public Schools has shown significant growth in student academics. 

At the beginning of the school year, Assistant Superintendent Julie Welch visited buildings across the district with good news, encouraging words—and pudding.

Her message to staff was simple: The proof is in the pudding. Staff members were even given a small pack of pudding to celebrate. 

“You guys have done the work,” Welch commended teachers. “We have thrown a lot of new things at you over the last two years, and it’s making a difference.”

During each visit, Welch shared highlights from the district’s academic achievement data, which was also presented to the Mexico School District Board of Education in June. The results showed meaningful student progress in both mathematics and reading.

Math Data Shows Strong Growth

District data showed significant growth in math from the 2024–2025 school year to the 2025–2026 school year.

At McMillan Early Learning Center, the percentage of kindergarten students making progress toward typical annual growth increased from a little more than 30% to nearly 50%.

Eugene Field and Hawthorne Elementary also showed schoolwide improvement, with growth across nearly every grade level. Fifth-grade results were especially encouraging because those students are now entering Mexico Middle School.

The district also saw improvement in the percentage of students who met their individual growth goals. The kindergarten percentage doubled, while Eugene Field and Hawthorne showed improvement schoolwide and across several grade levels.

Placement data provided another positive sign. More students moved into higher achievement levels, while fewer students remained in the areas indicating the greatest need for support.

A Focus on Foundational Reading Skills

Reading results also reflected the district’s continued focus on phonics and foundational literacy skills.

Over the past three years, Mexico has strengthened its use of 95 Percent Group Core Phonics and supplemental reading programs, particularly through Title I services. Welch shared the district is now seeing strong phonics growth across multiple buildings and grade levels.

The results were especially clear in kindergarten, where the percentage of students demonstrating stronger foundational reading skills increased significantly.

Mexico Middle School has also made instructional changes to support students who need continued help with foundational reading skills. Rather than placing students in full-class enrichment or intervention groups, staff members now use smaller, skill-focused groups designed around specific student needs.

“They are putting practices in place to reach kids for phonics,” Welch said. “They completely reworked their master schedule and implemented an additional 20-minute intervention time schoolwide so they could focus on skills groups.”

Staff Effort Is Making a Difference

Throughout the presentation, Welch emphasized that the improved results were not tied to one program, one building, or one person. They reflected the combined efforts of teachers, specialists, administrators, and support staff across the district.

“I appreciate all the work that you have put in to make this happen,” she said.

While MPS will continue its focus on phonics and foundational reading skills, the district is also placing greater emphasis on reading comprehension during the current school year.

Staff members were encouraged to celebrate the progress and continue building on the momentum.