Data in Action: How 21st Century Prep Uses WIN Time to Drive Academic GrowthBy Stacey James, Executive Director, 21st Century Preparatory School Facing persistent academic challenges, 21st Century Preparatory School implemented a data-driven intervention model known as WIN Time. Over the past four years, this targeted approach—combining small-group instruction, personalized skill practice, and student goal-setting—has led to measurable gains in both reading and math. In this article, we explore how WIN Time is helping more students move toward grade-level success. 21st Century Prep’s Story Located in Racine, Wisconsin, 21st Century Preparatory School has proudly served the community since its founding in 2002. As a tuition-free independent public charter school, 21st Century Prep is committed to nurturing the academic, social, and personal growth of students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Authorized by the University of Wisconsin System, the school was founded on the belief that all children, regardless of background, deserve access to high-quality learning opportunities that prepare them for success in high school, college, and beyond. Serving approximately 450 students, 21st Century Prep is a vibrant and diverse learning community. The majority of students—75%—qualify as economically disadvantaged, and 10% receive special education services. About 7% of students are English language learners, adding to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of the school. The student body is predominantly Black or African American (63%), followed by Hispanic or Latino students (21%), students identifying as two or more races (10%), and White students (6%). 21st Century Prep is committed to meeting the needs of every learner. With small class sizes, data-driven instruction, and a strong focus on character development, the school provides a nurturing yet challenging environment. Meeting the Challenge: Our Academic Struggles Like many schools serving economically disadvantaged communities, 21st Century Prep has faced significant academic challenges. Despite the dedication of our staff and students, assessment data consistently showed that many of our scholars were performing well below grade level, particularly in reading and math. It became clear: our students needed more—more time, more targeted instruction, and more intensive support. In response, we launched WIN (What I Need) Time during the 2021-2022 school year as a structured Tier 3 intervention block designed to address these persistent achievement gaps. WIN (What I Need) Time: Meeting Students Where They Are One of the most impactful instructional shifts at 21st Century Prep has been the implementation and ongoing refinement of WIN Time. From first through eighth grade, every student participates in a daily 45-minute WIN block. This block is intentionally staggered across grade levels to allow the school to fully leverage its instructional team, including Educational Assistants and the Reading Interventionist, for small, targeted groups focused on student-specific needs. How WIN Time Works Students are grouped based on data from the STAR Renaissance Assessment, administered three times per year. After each assessment cycle, teachers engage in deep data analysis to identify skill gaps and form small Using the STAR State Standards Mastery Report, teachers create targeted WIN Plans by selecting key domains and standards for each group. Further assessments are used as needed, such as PAST, for a deeper dive into student skill gaps. They then design lessons and learning activities to directly address these gaps in reading or math. Instructional Resources Used During WIN Time WIN Time is more than additional instructional minutes—it is a highly structured intervention block integrating multiple research-based tools:
Supporting Teachers and Strengthening Instruction WIN Time is embedded into the fabric of our instructional culture. Teachers receive ongoing professional development focused on intervention strategies, monthly grade-level data meetings to adjust groups and instructional plans, and observation and feedback cycles specifically designed to support WIN implementation. Over the past four years, WIN Time has evolved into a data-driven, student-centered system that aligns small-group instruction, digital learning, and frequent progress monitoring. The IXL Effect: Exceeding Expectations at 21st Century Prep A cornerstone of WIN Time’s success has been the strategic use of IXL, which personalizes learning for students based on their assessed needs. After STAR testing, teachers use the data to assign targeted skills in IXL, allowing students to practice and close gaps effectively. Since the beginning of the 2024–2025 school year, students have practiced 34,402 skills on IXL. Of those, an incredible 20,543 skills have been marked as proficient. Even more impressive, students have fully mastered 17,748 skills. In total, students have answered over 1 million questions (1,040,588 to be exact) and invested 3,868 hours—with the overwhelming majority of that time occurring during the school day. Outperforming National Benchmarks IXL recommends that 50% of practiced skills reach proficiency and 50% of those reach mastery. Our students have exceeded these goals by a wide margin. 60% of practiced skills have reached proficiency (20,543 out of 34,402). 86% of proficient skills have been fully mastered (17,748 out of 20,543). This means that not only are students engaging with a large volume of skills, but they are also reaching deeper levels of understanding and mastery than typically expected. This level of success reflects the intentionality behind WIN Time—every skill practiced is connected directly to a documented student need. Goal Setting & Student Ownership Adding to the power of WIN Time is the fact that students take responsibility for their learning. Students actively engage in setting learning goals and reflecting on their progress. Every day, during WIN, students in fifth through eighth grade fill out a WIN Check-In/Check-Out Sheet. They document the skills they worked on (including IXL activities), reflect on what they learned, and receive teacher feedback through quick verification. This process not only encourages accountability but helps students track their growth and recognize their own improvement. The Impact of WIN Time: Measurable Growth Since the introduction of WIN Time in 2021-2022, 21st Century Prep has seen promising signs of student growth, even as challenges remain. Both STAR and Wisconsin Forward Exam results show that targeted interventions, like WIN Time, are making a difference. On the STAR Renaissance Assessments:
A Growing Culture of Learning While 21st Century Prep still faces challenges, these gains reflect a deeper shift happening across the school. Teachers are using data more intentionally. Students are taking greater ownership of their learning. Staff are collaborating more closely to align interventions with individual student needs. Most importantly, WIN Time has helped foster a culture where gaps are not just acknowledged—they are actively addressed. This is just the beginning. With WIN Time as a permanent part of the school’s instructional model, 21st Century Prep is well-positioned to continue closing achievement gaps and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive. For information about IXL Learning please contact Lynne Lavota, IXL Educational Sales. |
