Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools' Annual Progress Report submitted to the state of Iowa concludes that the students' proficient test scores were on the rise, as well once again being higher than the state of Iowa and national averages. 

Each fall students in grades three through eight take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and students in grades nine and eleven take the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED).  These tests are used to measure student achievement in all areas, but reading, math and science must be reported to the state.  The scores are reported on student proficiency. Proficiency is defined as the percent of students scoring above the 40^th percentile as measured by the ITBS and ITED. 

The following information is the data reported in the Biennium 2003-2005. Bienniums are two year averages. Bienniums are used because it provides greater stability in the information than would be apparent if results from each single year were used.