Nashville, N.C. – Students in Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) made significant academic progress on state assessments during the 2023-24 school year, according to data released by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction on Sept. 4, 2024. The district advanced 75 positions in the statewide rankings, moving from 108th to 33rd out of 115 districts in North Carolina.
The district presented these achievements at a recent school board work session, highlighting notable growth in School Performance Grades (SPGs) and reaffirming its dedication to academic excellence.
Key Highlights from the 2023-24 SPG Report:
State Ranking Improvement: NCPS rose from 108th to 33rd in the percentage of low-performing schools. It is one of only six districts in North Carolina to reduce its number of low-performing schools each year since 2018.
Increased School Performance Grades (SPGs): Nineteen schools saw improvements in their SPGs from the previous year. This marks the highest number of schools receiving a grade of C or better since the state began tracking SPGs in 2015.
Top Growth Schools: Southern Nash Middle ranked in the top 1% statewide for growth, while Early College High and Parker Middle also achieved top rankings for academic improvement. Overall, 12 NCPS schools placed in the top 25% for growth statewide.
Additional statistics include:
· 68% of schools received a school performance grade of C or better, up 28% from the previous year. (17 schools).
· 92% of schools met or exceeded growth (23 schools).
· 48% of schools exceeded growth (12 schools).
· 40% of schools moved up a full letter grade (10 schools).
· 76% of schools increased their overall performance grades (19 schools).
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Melissa Dancy-Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services and Accountability, stated: “As I reflect on the past three years, I am extremely proud of the progress our educators and students have made in closing academic achievement gaps. This achievement underscores our intentional focus on enriching learning experiences for all students. These academic gains are the result of a collective effort by our teachers, staff, students, and families. NCPS will maintain this momentum as we continue to provide equitable support to all schools.”
Several schools exceeded growth expectations for the 2023-2024 school year, including Benvenue Elementary, CITI High, Englewood Elementary, Edwards Middle, Parker Middle, M.B. Hubbard Elementary, Nash Central Middle, Northern Nash High, NRM Early College High School, Red Oak Elementary, Red Oak Middle, and Southern Nash Middle.
A number of schools met growth expectations for the 2023-2024 school year. These include Bailey Elementary, Coopers Elementary, Middlesex Elementary, Nash Central High, Nashville Elementary, Rocky Mount High, Rocky Mount Middle, Southern Nash High, Spring Hope Elementary, and Nash Everywhere Digital Academy.
It is important to note that Tar River Academy met the criteria of progressing for the first time since 2019. This is the highest level of performance for the alternative school model in North Carolina.
Dr. Steven Ellis, Superintendent of Nash County Public Schools, said, “These scores suggest we’re making positive strides in our schools.” He emphasized the district’s commitment to building strong connections with students and families, which he said has played a key role in the district’s growth.
Looking Ahead: NCPS remains focused on nurturing academic excellence, increasing the number of schools exceeding growth expectations, and closing achievement gaps for all student groups. The district is committed to providing students with the tools and support they need to reach their fullest potential.
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Media Contact:
Heather Louise Finch, Public Information Officer