HILLTOWNS — Berne-Knox-Westerlo officials took a victory lap at the board of education’s Nov. 25 meeting, where Superintendent Bonnie Kane broke down the district’s 2023-24 test scores that were recently released by the state. 

The district has not only outpaced the state average in the core subjects of math and English-language arts, but has bested the nearby districts it considers its “chase schools” as well. 

In fact, the district ranked 38th in the state for its ELA proficiency in grades 3 through 8 (70 percent) and 71st for math proficiency (73 percent), Kane noted, citing a table put together by Syracuse News. 

It was the first Albany County district to appear in each ranking.

“It’s absolutely outstanding,” Kane said. 

Although she would not reveal the names of the specific districts, Kane also compared BKW’s proficiency rates by grade level to other districts in the Capital Region that are considered academic rivals, with BKW outshining them in most instances. 

A runner in high school, Kane said her father had told her that “you should always look ahead to your competitor, the person who’s running just faster than you, the person with the time just ahead of yours.” 

BKW’s chase schools include two in Albany County, two in Schenectady County, and one in Rensselaer County. 

The scores reflect strong improvement for a district that not long ago was flagging in many areas. 

In the 2018-19 school year, only 48 percent of students were proficient in ELA and math, compared with 70 and 73 percent respectively for the 2023-24 school year. 

“We’ve made absolutely tremendous gains,” Kane said.

Also included in the report card is the district’s per-pupil expenditure of $29,054, which is $8,000 more than the Albany County average, and $2,000 more than the state average.

Enrollment is 655 students, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 1 to 9. The average class size at each grade level and for all subjects is under 20. The four-year graduation rate is 89 percent.