Measuring What Matters: How Benchmark Assessments Help Our MYP Students Thrive

Article by Ramazan Dicle, MYP Benchmark Assessments & Educational Pathways Coordinator

At the International School of Hellerup, we believe that every student has the potential to grow and thrive — and we are committed to making that growth visible, measurable, and meaningful. That’s why since 2022, we’ve integrated Aimsweb Plus benchmark assessments into our Middle Years Programme (MYP) as part of our ongoing effort to personalize learning and enhance academic achievement.

What Are Benchmark Assessments?

Benchmark assessments are formative tools, designed to give timely insight into how students are developing key academic skills — specifically in literacy and numeracy. These are not high-stakes tests. Instead, they are short, focused assessments (20–40 minutes) that help answer the essential questions:

• Are our students making expected academic progress?
• Who may need additional support, and in which areas?
• How can we best challenge high-performing learners?

Students take one literacy and one math benchmark in Fall and Spring. The results are reported as percentiles and grouped into performance bands — from “Well Below Average” to “Well Above Average” — in comparison with national norms. They also receive a Risk Level (Low, Moderate, or High), which allows teachers to plan interventions early and effectively.

What Does the Data Say?

This year, our benchmarking results tell a powerful story of success and support:

• In MYP 1–4, more than 90% of students scored in the Average, Above Average, or Well Above Average bands in both literacy and numeracy.
• Students showed meaningful growth between Fall and Spring, with many exceeding national averages.
• Risk levels were exceptionally low, with nearly all students in the Low Risk category, confirming they are on track to meet or exceed grade-level expectations.

These outcomes are a testament to the quality of teaching and learning at ISH. They show that our inquiry-based, student-focused approach is not only engaging — it’s effective.

“We’re not just collecting scores — we’re collecting insights. Benchmark assessments give us the clarity to celebrate growth, take action where needed, and support every student in fulfilling their potential.”
— Ramazan Dicle, MYP Benchmark Assessment & Educational Pathways Coordinator
 

Supporting Every Learner: From Data to Action

What truly makes benchmark assessments valuable at ISH is how we use the data.

For students who need extra support, the data helps us identify challenges early, allowing us to:

• Plan small-group or one-on-one instruction
• Focus on specific skill areas, like reading comprehension or mental computation
• Adjust our teaching strategies and curriculum as needed

For high-performing students, the data helps us extend and enrich learning with:

• Inquiry projects
• Critical reading and writing challenges
• Advanced mathematical investigations

Our approach is always student-centred. By integrating benchmark data with classroom assessments and teacher observations, we ensure that every learner receives both challenge and care.

Insights from the 2024–2025 Academic Progress Report

The findings from our 2024–2025 Academic Progress Report further reinforce the positive impact of benchmark assessments at ISH. The report outlines literacy and numeracy growth across all MYP year levels and shows that our students are consistently performing well above national expectations. With composite scores rising and risk levels remaining low, the report confirms that our practices are leading to measurable success. Most importantly, the report highlights that growth is happening at both individual and cohort levels, and that data is being used not only to track progress but to respond meaningfully through differentiation and early support. The report is shared with families, school leadership, and the Ministry of Education — serving as both a reflection and a roadmap for continued success.

Read more about the Academic Progress Report 2024-2025 here.

A Strong Foundation for the Future

Benchmarking reflects our school’s broader commitment to academic excellence and student well-being. It aligns with the IB learner profile and our vision of nurturing reflective, purposeful, and responsible global citizens.

As we continue to grow as a community of learners, these assessments will remain a key part of our strategy — not just for evaluation, but for empowerment.

If you'd like to learn more about benchmark assessments or how we support student learning at ISH, feel free to get in touch.

Ramazan Dicle
MYP Benchmark Assessments & Educational Pathways Coordinator
rdicle@ish.dk