MCPS is proudly celebrating 10 consecutive years of full accreditation and a year of significant student growth across the division!
Under the Virginia Department of Education's School Performance and Support Framework, Martinsville High School earned a Distinguished rating for the second consecutive year. Martinsville Middle, Albert Harris Elementary, and Patrick Henry Elementary each earned a Meets Expectations rating.
The results are especially meaningful for both elementary schools, which were federally identified last year for Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) based on results for students with disabilities. Both have now exited federal identification, and no MCPS school is federally identified in this year's results.
"Ten consecutive years of full accreditation represents a decade of hard work and a sustained belief that our teachers and students can meet and surpass any bar set before them," said MCPS Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley Jr. "What I'm most excited about is the growth behind those ratings. Our students are making significant progress, and the dedication of our staff is making a measurable difference."
Three schools raised their overall SPSF scores from the previous year: Martinsville Middle rose 6.1 points (80.4 to 86.5), Patrick Henry Elementary increased 5.5 points (78.9 to 84.4), and Albert Harris Elementary improved by 2 points (79.1 to 81.1).
Student growth was a major driver of this year’s progress, particularly in the elementary schools. Patrick Henry's SPSF reading growth indicator rose 15.8 points (67.2 to 83) and its math growth indicator rose 17 points (62.96 to 79.96). Albert Harris Elementary’s reading and math growth indicators rose 5.78 and 9.83 points to 79.95 and 82.97 respectively. Martinsville Middle School also posted significant gains in math, including a 14.67-point increase in its math growth indicator and an overall math performance indicator of 90.7, a gain of 4.24 points.
Some of the division’s strongest gains came among students with disabilities, the student group for which both elementary schools had previously been identified for targeted support. At Albert Harris, the math growth indicator for these students rose 36.88 points (53.12 to 90) and reading growth rose 17.3 points. At Patrick Henry, math growth rose 26.67 points and reading growth rose 18.33 points.
"Moving both elementary schools out of federal identification took focused work from our staff, students, and families," said Dr. Angilee Downing, assistant superintendent of instruction. "Our teams took a close look at the data, identified where students needed support, and responded with targeted instruction and interventions. We still have work ahead as we return to pre-pandemic levels of success, but this progress shows those efforts are working."
Chronic absenteeism also fell at every school. Martinsville Middle School nearly cut its rate in half, from 12.04% to 6.12% (a 49.2% reduction). Patrick Henry dropped from 6.94% to 4.35%, Martinsville High School from 22.74% to 20.51%, and Albert Harris from 16.41% to 16.14%.
At Martinsville High School, the four-year graduation rate rose from 85.80% to 87.07%. The rate for Black students rose from 88.73% to 96.42%, and for students with disabilities from 68.75% to 76.47%.
Martinsville Middle School’s progress also stood out regionally. In VDOE’s Region 6 SPSF leaderboard, MMS ranked among the Top 5 middle schools for gains in overall SPSF score, English learner progress, and readiness based on chronic absenteeism.
Martinsville High School also earned regional recognition, ranking among the Top 5 high schools in Region 6 for overall 3E readiness, a measure of students’ preparation for enrollment, employment, and enlistment after graduation.
“While these results are an important measure and we want to celebrate our progress, we also know that there’s still more work to be done,” Downing said. “We will continue using this data to understand what’s working, where there are challenges to address, and how we can better support every student.”
Talley said reaching a decade of full accreditation is ultimately a reflection of the entire school community.
"Ten years doesn't happen by accident," Talley said. "It happens because students, families, and staff members in every role remain committed to success. We are proud of how far we've come and even more excited about what we'll achieve moving forward. Our work continues, one learner at a time."