SCS Makes Continuous Growth in SOL Results

STAUNTON, VA, September 8, 2023 — Staunton City Schools is pleased to report continued growth in the latest SOL data released by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

Pass rates for Reading, Math and Science increased across the division for the 2022-23 school year, continuing a positive trend from last year when Staunton’s schools made the most growth of any division in the state when comparing pre-and post-pandemic scores. The charts below summarize the division’s progress since returning from the pandemic (denoted by the dotted line).

Reading

Staunton City Schools has increased the overall rate annually to 73 percent in 2022-2023 (the same rate as pre-pandemic) and shows an increase of two percent from the previous year. This division rate and all reporting groups were at or above the state average, with the elementary grades (3-5) all exceeding the state average. The primary grades (K-2) have also shown growth on early literacy screeners and have reached their highest level of performance (including pre-pandemic), which will likely positively impact all grades and reading SOL results in the near future.

Math

Staunton City Schools has increased the overall pass rate annually to 67 percent in 2022-2023 and shows an increase of 2 percent from the previous year. Staunton City Schools is at or above the state average in multiple reporting groups, including Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students.

Science

Staunton City Schools has increased the overall pass rate annually to 71 percent in 2022-2023 and shows an increase of 5 percent from the previous year. Schools at all levels – elementary, middle, and high – exceeded the state average in Science and were at or above the state average in all reporting groups.

Accreditation ratings also remain positive overall, with all elementary schools and the high school fully accredited. Shelburne Middle School is accredited with conditions.

Listed below are a few highlights by school:

Bessie Weller Elementary exceeded Reading and Math benchmarks in all reporting groups, increased the percentage in Science by 26 percent, and was above the state average in all subjects.
McSwain Elementary exceeded Reading and Math benchmarks in all reporting groups with rates of 86-99 percent and was above the state average in all tested subjects and grades (Reading 3-5, Math 3-5, and Science 5).
Ware Elementary exceeded Math benchmarks in all reporting groups, increased the Reading performance of students with disabilities by 35 percent in a year (to 90 percent), and increased the Science rate.
Shelburne Middle exceeded the accreditation benchmark for the total population in Reading, Math, and Science, with Science exceeding the state average by 7 percent.
Staunton High exceeded English benchmarks in all reporting groups, increased the overall math percentage by 7 percent, and exceeded the state average in Writing, Biology, and World History I.

To advance this positive trend, the school division will focus on the following areas:

Continuing to work together, using a cycle of support for teaching and learning. This includes classroom observations and feedback by school and division administrators, targeted professional learning based on trend data, SCS University professional learning sessions where educators share and exchange ideas, and in-school team meetings and instructional coaching to support staff. The division will continue participating in the Comprehensive Instructional Program, a consortium with other school divisions, to review student data and plan collaboratively.

Providing targeted interventions for students needing support. Each school has a success block or time built into its master schedule to support students during the school day. This structure helps ensure that all students needing support receive that during the school day. It also allows time for enrichment for students who have demonstrated success in a particular concept. The school division offers summer SCS University and other school opportunities for students needing additional time and support for learning.

Working to boost attendance in partnership with families. Despite attendance incentives and interventions, we have seen an increase in chronic absenteeism—students missing 17 school days—since the pandemic. For example, our elementary schools have an average increase of 3 percent (10 to 13 percent of all students) chronically absent from 2019 to 2023, and our middle and high schools have an average increase of 10 percent (14 to 24 percent) chronically absent from 2019 to 2023.

Dr. Garett Smith, superintendent of Staunton City Schools, said: “Achievement results released by the state demonstrate that students in Staunton City Schools are making steady and consistent progress as we continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic. We’re proud of the efforts of our students, teachers, and staff in maintaining high expectations for learning and citizenship. None of the improvements would be possible without the support of our families and community. We have identified areas in need of improvement and have plans in place to bring those up to standard. Congratulations on a successful school year, and we look forward to even better results this year!”

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Contact:

Stephanie Haskins

Executive Director of Instruction

540.332.3920 or [email protected]

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