Parkway Progress Report

Learning with students at Green Trails Elementary School

Dear Parkway Community,

Each day, I am proud to see how Parkway teachers, students, and staff lead the way in our schools, communities, region, and state.

I want to share an update on our progress for students and the clear direction we are heading together.

In Parkway, we work intentionally every day to improve student experiences and educational outcomes. We recognize that leadership is shared—driven by our talented teachers, staff, leaders, families, and community partners collaborating to position our students for excellence inside and outside the classroom.

Our current momentum is driven by our unwavering focus on academic excellence and student success. Guided by our strategic plan and data-informed instruction, our educators and students are demonstrating exceptional dedication to learning.

Today, I am proud to share recent data demonstrating the highest academic success we have seen in this decade.

We are proud to celebrate strong academic achievement and measurable growth by our students, reflected in recent test scores across our schools. The highlights below show how intentional classroom instruction and support systems translate into tangible student success.

Whether building community partnerships or fostering innovation, Parkway remains a regional and national leader in academics, student opportunities, and responsible stewardship.

We lead best when we lead together. Thank you for your ongoing partnership, trust, and shared commitment to excellence in support of our students.

Sincerely,

Dr. Melissa Schneider

Superintendent

In the coming weeks, the state of Missouri will release achievement scores and annual performance reports for schools across the state. You can expect to see Parkway students performing at the top and achievement trends on the rise in recent years.

You may also see an A-F letter grade for schools and the district as part of a new state pilot. This is the first year of a brand-new state system based on test results from the 2024-25 school year. This is another data point we can use to help support students in their learning.

I also want to share a full picture of how our students are doing based on current data.

Significant increases from previous years

• Student achievement on the 2026 MAP test was the highest since 2022, with significant increases from 2025. Test scores prior to 2022 used different metrics and therefore cannot be compared.

• Parkway student performance is well above state targets.

Largest improvements in Math and Science

• MAP tests show student performance in Science and Math is well above state averages and targets and, most notably, has increased over the past three years.
  
  

Advanced Placement scores hit 10-year high

• Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores rose again in 2026, reaching a 10-year high with nearly 90% of students scoring a 3 or higher.

This fall, students are already on track for growth

• Our students’ individual growth scores from NWEA assessments are already trending in line with student growth during the same period last year.

Eighteen Parkway seniors were named semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. These semifinalists represent less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors who achieved top scores on the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).

In addition to the 18 semifinalists, 17 seniors were recognized as National Merit Commended Students. These students scored in the top 3-4 percent.

Over the past year, seven Parkway students have earned a perfect ACT composite score of 36.

During the same period, 272 Parkway students scored a 30 or higher, placing them in the top 5-7% nationwide.

Meg Yeater, a North High senior, is one of seven Parkway students who have earned a perfect ACT score of 36 in the past year.

I recently visited Yoon Ciche's fourth-grade class at Ross Elementary to co-teach a math lesson to the students, which took me back to my roots as an elementary school teacher.

There is nothing better than spending time with our students and seeing their learning in action.

Great districts are built on extraordinary teachers, and we are proud to celebrate Matt Alonzo, North High educator, on being named a 2026-27 NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellow.

Matt joins a distinguished national cohort participating in a year-long program to deepen global competencies and bring cross-cultural perspectives to the classroom, culminating in a 10-day field study in Peru. His dedication to bringing global problem-solving to math and computer science exemplifies how Parkway prepares students to thrive as engaged global citizens.

During his time in the Spark! program, Andrew Rubin learned the basics of running a business and launched his own spice company, State Street Spices. Through his business classes at Central High and the real-world opportunities he received at Spark!, Andrew started selling his spices at Central's craft fairs. Today, while studying at Mizzou, he's scaled that high school project into a brand with nationwide distribution at World Market.

Between competing in national entrepreneurship events and expanding his product line, Andrew is on track to go full-time with his company when he graduates.

Mollie Sharp has been named the 2026 MOSHAPE Adapted PE Teacher of the Year. As an SSD educator and adaptive PE teacher, Mollie serves in seven Parkway schools: Bellerive, Craig, Green Trails, Mason Ridge, Northeast Middle, River Bend, and Shenandoah Valley.

This statewide award from MOSHAPE (Missouri Society of Health and Physical Educators) recognizes an outstanding educator who provides an inclusive PE experience through individualized instruction for students with exceptional physical needs, gross motor delays, or sensory-motor impairments.

Parkway continues to set the standard for educational excellence, thanks to leaders who excel both inside and outside our classrooms. Dr. Eddie Mattison, coordinator of Physical Education and Health, has been named the 2026 MOSHAPE Administrator of the Year.

This honor recognizes Dr. Mattison's advocacy for health and physical education and whole-student wellness. His leadership sets a high bar across Missouri and makes him the first Parkway administrator to receive this award.

West High senior Noor Hacking has built an incredible foundation throughout her high school career. As the Pathfinder's social media manager and staff writer, and an active member of Spark!'s Digital Media strand, she continually sharpens her visual storytelling skills. Lately, she's been taking that talent straight into the field, working as a photography intern for Missouri Rush soccer.

Noor credits Parkway's hands-on, real-world opportunities for giving her the practical experience and confidence to step onto big stages. Next stop: Cornell University next fall.

Noor captured the emotion, high energy, and Parkway pride on display at West High's senior night.

Early Childhood teacher Lily Harding's students turned their dramatic play area into a space exploration center by mailing welcome-home notes to NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. Students were surprised when Kim responded with a special letter back, encouraging them to keep reaching for the stars.

By connecting classroom play to current space events and real correspondence with NASA, Harding showed our youngest learners that education isn't just about absorbing facts, it's about actively engaging with the world around them.

Parkway continues to expand student opportunities through innovative college partnerships. St. Louis Community College (STLCC) recently honored high school counselors for their leadership in the Mobile Enrollment program, which brings college registration directly to Parkway campuses.

West High counselor Chris Lorenz received the STLCC Enrollment Champion Award. Only four counselors across the entire region received this honor, with Lorenz selected for his year-round passion and dedication to connecting students with college pathways.

Nana Prange, Central High counselor, received the STLCC Mobile Enrollment Catalyst Award, which honors schools stepping up as first-time participants in the program.

Photographed: Chris Lorenz, West High

For years, Parkway South student-athletes trained and competed with a 30-year-old pole vaulting pit nicknamed "the puddle." This year, thanks to the support of our corporate partners, they will have safer, modern equipment that allows them to train with confidence and perform at their best.

Through the Parkway sports marketing partnership program, corporate sponsorships directly support enhancements like these that elevate the student-athlete experience.

We kicked off the year by thanking our sports marketing partners at a tailgate event at the Central High vs. West High Mayors Cup football game.

I joined the North High Cross Country team for a practice—and got a firsthand look at the commitment, teamwork, and perseverance these student-athletes bring to every mile.

Before hitting the track and trail, I shared my personal running journey and reminded them that running is a great lifelong activity and passion you can enjoy at any stage of life.

Thank you to the North High runners and coaches for welcoming me to the team. Keep leading the way, Vikings!

Celebrating 50 years of excellence at South High! I enjoyed meeting the student leaders who were recognized as members of the 2026 homecoming court. Thank you to sophomore photographer Olivia Helm for this fantastic photo.