Nicolet High School "Exceeds Expectations"

Nicolet High School "exceeds expectations," according to the school report cards released Tuesday by the Department of Public Instruction.

Additionally, the report cards show Nicolet is well above the state average in Student Achievement (83.9 vs. 67.5) and increased its score in the On-Track and Postsecondary Readiness priority area. 

“This report card shows that Nicolet students continue to excel and that the school does an outstanding job of preparing students for both college and career,” said Nicolet Director of Teaching and Learning Brenda Turner.

The DPI school report cards, which debuted last year, are intended to assist schools in assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and to assure that students are graduating from high school college-and-career ready. The high school report cards address three main priority areas: Student Achievement, Closing Gaps, and On-Track and Postsecondary Readiness.

Nicolet’s overall accountability score dropped from 81.3 to 75.6 due to the decline in its score for Closing Gaps—the measure that encourages schools to lift the performance of traditionally lagging student groups. The goal is to close the achievement gaps between struggling learners and high performers.

“Unacceptable,” said Superintendent Bob Kobylski about Nicolet’s lower score for closing gaps. “Even though we are ranked as exceeding expectations, this score does not meet the high standards of the Nicolet learning community. I have no doubt that our top-notch teachers and administrators will improve the learning outcomes for all students this year.” 

Said Turner, "Our internal data indicates that we are moving students forward. However, some students are not excelling as quickly as others, so we need to ensure students who are struggling receive timely interventions."

When closing gaps, the performance level of the high achievers must be maintained, Kobylski said. “Our goal is always to accelerate achievement for all students.” 

Last year, 69 percent of Nicolet students earned a college credit before they graduated, six perfect scores on the ACT college admission and placement exam were recorded, and the district was named one of the top Advanced Placement districts in the nation by the College Board.

"Clearly, Nicolet is an exceptional school,” Kobylski said. “The DPI report card is just one way Nicolet measures performance.”

The report cards assign schools one of five ratings based on their overall score: Significantly Exceeds Expectations (83-100), Exceeds Expectations (73-82.9), Meets Expectations (63-72.9), Meets Few Expectations (53-62.9), and Fails to Meet Expectations (0-52.9).

Only 33 percent of the state’s 2,111 schools received a rating of “Exceeds Expectations,” and only 4 percent “Significantly Exceeds Expectations.”

“The report card is a valuable tool for us because it illuminates the kids that are getting left behind,” said Kobylski. “We welcome that accountability.”

Nicolet began the school year with a new administration team in place. Kobylski, Turner, and Principal Greg Kabara are new to the district and assumed their jobs in July.