Empowering All Learners to Reach Their Full Potential

Old Greenwich School in Old Greenwich, Connecticut

In the Classroom

Each year, new students arrive at Old Greenwich School from around the globe—often midyear, and with widely varied educational backgrounds. Yet this small shoreline school consistently ranks among Connecticut’s top performers. Principal Jennifer Bencivengo says IXL is helping teachers personalize instruction and maintain a high standard of excellence for all students, no matter where their journeys begin.

The Challenges

Old Greenwich School is both a beloved neighborhood institution and a hub for an international community. Its strong academic reputation, close-knit atmosphere, and proximity to New York City attract families from around the world, many of whom relocate frequently for work. Because curricula vary widely across countries, students may arrive performing well above grade level in some skill areas while missing key concepts in others, depending on how their previous schools introduced and sequenced material. In any given classroom, teachers might have students who are ready for advanced coursework alongside others adapting to a new curriculum—or even a new language.

Principal Jennifer Bencivengo and her team needed a program that would provide clear, actionable insight into each student’s learning profile. Teachers wanted to identify gaps and strengths quickly, personalize instruction in both math and English language arts, and support every learner, from those needing remediation to those ready for acceleration. Although the school used multiple assessment tools, none provided a seamless system that connected assessment to instruction—or kept pace with students’ learning in real time.

The Solution

Old Greenwich School began using IXL more than a decade ago as part of a district initiative to strengthen differentiation and data-driven instruction. IXL has become a natural extension of their mission: empowering all children to maximize their potential and develop a love of learning. Teachers use IXL Math and IXL English Language Arts to individualize instruction in key academic areas.

The school’s one-to-one technology program makes it possible to bring digitally-enabled personalized learning into every classroom. Teachers now use IXL alongside their core curriculum and Advanced Learning Program to ensure that all students—whether they need support or enrichment—are challenged appropriately. IXL’s Diagnostic in Real-Time mode gives teachers a clear, continuous view of student progress, while personalized skill recommendations guide targeted practice and growth.

The program’s adaptability makes it easy to connect IXL skills to classroom lessons, reinforce key concepts, and assign focused practice or enrichment activities. Through consistent use, IXL has become a seamless part of Old Greenwich’s personalized learning model, supporting the school’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence and individualized growth.

Here’s how teachers are using IXL at Old Greenwich School: 

  • Each week, teachers assign IXL skills that align with their math and ELA curriculum, giving students focused practice on concepts currently being taught in class.
  • Students also work on individualized skill paths generated from the IXL Diagnostic in Real-Time mode during “Maintenance Mondays” and WIN blocks, targeting specific areas for growth or advancement.
  • Teachers use insights and skill recommendations from the IXL Diagnostic to plan small-group instruction, guide Tier 1 interventions, and enrich learning.
  • Each spring, “March Madness” brings the whole school together for an IXL-powered review of key skills in preparation for standardized testing.
  • Awards, leaderboards, and progress on their IXL action plans keep students motivated and help them take ownership of their learning.

The Results

Since integrating IXL into daily instruction, Old Greenwich has seen steady gains in both student performance and engagement. Math proficiency continues to rise, with one cohort increasing from 80% to 90% at or above grade level in just one year, and the percentage of students testing at the highest level rising from 52% to 64%. For a school already known for academic excellence, these results reflect not just improvement but sustained growth across a diverse student body.

Teachers say IXL has made data more actionable, helping them quickly identify gaps, target instruction, and measure growth without adding to their workload. Professional learning with IXL has also strengthened their confidence in using data to guide small-group instruction and differentiate more effectively. Students are equally invested in their learning: they enjoy the gamified elements, friendly competitions, and the satisfaction of seeing their progress over time. For Principal Jennifer Bencivengo, the true value of IXL is how it supports the school’s mission: empowering all children to reach their potential by meeting them exactly where they are.

 

Read the full case study here! Interested in bringing IXL to your school? Visit https://www.ixl.com/membership/teachers/trial for a free 30-day trial.