ERB Scores Aren’t Our North Star—But They Do Reflect the Journey
What This Year’s Results Reveal About WHPS Learning
Families often seek out our school because they’re looking for something different: a place where learning doesn’t stop at the end of a workbook or an arbitrary benchmark. A place where their child isn’t limited by grade-level expectations but lifted by personalized goals, deep thinking, and instruction designed to transfer—not just to the next test, but to life.
We care deeply about shaping human beings—their empathy, confidence, and the way they treat others when no one’s watching. That’s our North Star. 🌟
Even though standardized tests aren’t what drive us, this year’s ERB scores offer powerful validation. They reaffirm the strength of our academic model—a research-based approach built on learning progressions, not learning ceilings; on challenge, not pressure.
These results aren’t a surprise—they’re a signal. A signal that the work we do—building lasting skills, teaching kids to think, and helping them apply what they’ve learned—truly pays off.
So What Is the ERB, and Why Does It Matter?
The ERB (Educational Records Bureau) is a norm-referenced assessment used by many of the top independent schools nationwide. Unlike tests that simply measure whether a student has met a specific grade-level standard, the ERB compares performance to a national sample—including students in academically rigorous, high-expectation schools. That broader context offers a more meaningful picture of long-term readiness, especially in areas like reasoning, comprehension, and critical thinking.
Because the ERB isn’t tied to any single curriculum or set of state standards, students often encounter questions they haven’t been explicitly taught. That’s intentional. The goal isn’t to test rote knowledge, but to evaluate whether a student can think flexibly and apply their learning in new and complex ways.
How We Prepare (and How We Don’t)
At WHPS, we don’t teach to the test. We don’t spend months on practice booklets or drill worksheets. Instead, we introduce the ERB the way we teach any new genre: by helping students analyze and understand how it works.
❓ How do I manage my time during a long test?
❓ What can I do if I get stuck on a tough question?
❓ What does it look like to show my best thinking—even when I haven’t seen this type of problem before?
These conversations often happen during Morning Meeting, through daily prompts and reflective debriefs. They’re quick, meaningful, and woven into the school day—without ever replacing real learning. Because when you build a curriculum that’s rigorous and responsive, students are already prepared.
What the Results Say
This year’s ERB data tells a compelling story—not just about top performers, but about the strength and consistency of the program as a whole. Here are ten key takeaways:
✅ Nearly 50% of students in Grades 3–5 scored in the top 4% nationally (9th stanine) in at least one of the seven ERB subject areas, including both literacy and mathematical reasoning.
✅ Students across all three grade levels—Grades 3, 4, and 5—achieved high scores, showing strength and continuity year over year.
✅ Several students scored in the 9th stanine across all four major domains, placing them among the most advanced learners nationally.
✅ Even areas with relatively lower scores still exceeded national averages—including when compared only to other independent school students.
✅ Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension were standouts, reflecting the strength of our individualized language arts program.
✅ Quantitative Reasoning showed notable growth, aligned with our continued implementation of Singapore Math.
✅ This was the first full cohort to use Singapore Math from TK through 5th grade, and the results reflect the cumulative strength of that foundation.
✅ Half of our students in Grades 3–5 earned scores that qualify them for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY), an advanced learning program for students performing in the top 5–10% nationally.
✅ CTY offers engaging, inquiry-based summer programs—including one right here in L.A.—designed for high-capacity learners.
✅ Families in Grades 3–5 will receive their child’s ERB score report via email in the coming week, along with more information about CTY for those who qualify.
Looking Ahead
ERB scores aren’t our only North Star—but they shine brightly. ✨
They don’t capture everything we value, but they offer clear, third-party validation that our students are thriving—not just within our classrooms, but when measured against peers at some of the most competitive schools in the country.
These results will also be incorporated into our upcoming WASC accreditation renewal, where we’ll take a broader look at WHPS student growth across academic, social, and developmental domains. As always, we’ll continue using a wide range of assessment tools—not just to report progress, but to make real-time instructional decisions that keep every student on a path of continuous growth. 📈
Because at WHPS, we’re not just preparing students for the next test—we’re preparing them for the next chapter. 📚
Warmly,
Seth Pozzi
Head of School
