BGM named ‘high performing’ in school performance ratings

BROOKLYN — The Iowa Department of Education recently released the 2025 Iowa School Performance Profiles for the 2024—25 school year and BGM, was in the top tier of state ratings.

Shane Ehresman, secondary principal at BGM, shared the news during the school’s October Board of Education meeting Wednesday, Oct. 8.

Schools can be rated exceptional, high performing, commendable, acceptable, needs improvement and priority by the ISSP.

BGM 7-12 graders received a high performing rating with a score of 654.06 out of 900, putting BGM in the top 18% of Iowa’s 1,276 schools.

The highest rating BGM 7-12 achieved prior to this year was Acceptable. Last year, BGM was rated Priority based on spring 2024 Iowa Statewide Assessment of student progress scores. The ISSP ratings are based primarily on spring 2025 ISASP scores.

Ehresman said the Secondary Building Leadership Team approved 2025-26 priorities and wrote goals based on teacher feedback and team member discussions.

The team wanted to focus on Iowa Department of Education 21st Century Skills (civic literacy, employability skills, financial literacy, health literacy and technology literacy), course offerings, school culture and to review the AEA Special Education Evaluation Final Report (January 2026).

Leadership Team members are Carrie Dolmage, Lisa Kirby, John Yates, Jeff Holden, Ashley Kriegel, Amber Heishman, Tracey Gerard, Angie Radcliffe and Ehresman.

BGM Elementary Principal Mary Sherwood said the music department is excited to bring the Des Moines Metro Opera’s education troupe, Opera Iowa, to BGM in April 2026.

This marks the troupe’s third visit to the BGM district in recent years. It previously performed “Rusalka, the Littlest Mermaid” in 2022, followed by “Sid the Serpent” and an evening performance of “Beauty and the Beast” in 2024.

Sherwood said all students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grades, along with — 6, select junior high and high school students, will attend the daytime opera performance before lunch.

In the afternoon, the Opera Iowa team will conduct a master class with junior high and high school choir students. In the evening, the group will give a performance of “Cinderella” by Borths/Rossini/Massenet for the entire community.

“We are thrilled to share that this opportunity is being fully funded by a generous donation from the Grinnell Mutual Group Foundation,” said Sherwood. “We are incredibly grateful for their support in bringing this experience to BGM students and families.”

On Oct. 2, BGM celebrated the school’s custodians with a superhero-themed door display at the elementary school and treats.

“Our custodial staff consistently keeps our facilities in excellent condition, and we are so grateful for all they do all year round,” said Sherwood.

Elementary students were taking part in Fire Prevention Week activities including a fire drill, preschool field trip to the fire station, an assembly and firetruck rides for kindergarten through third grade students and an assembly for grades 4-6.

Sherwood said that Red Ribbon Week will conduct various activities later this month focused on making healthy, drug-free choices. Guest speakers, themed events and dress up days are planned to reinforce the message.

Parent-teacher conferences will be held Oct. 29 — 30, alongside the school’s Fall Book Fair.

“We appreciate our PIE (Partners in Education) group who will once again provide food for staff during the conference evenings,” said Sherwood.

Halloween celebrations will take place Thursday, Oct. 30, Sherwood said. Students in preschool through second grades have been invited to participate in a costume parade at Brooklyn Community Estates.

In other business, the board approved an open enrollment request for Coralynn Puls from Grinnell.

The board also approved the resignation of Brenda Day as assistant volleyball coach. Jawny Massengale, a volunteer assistant volleyball coach, was offered a paid position as assistant volleyball coach.

The board also approved Laura Manatt as a volunteer assistant basketball coach.

The next school board is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.