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Area schools shine

October 29, 2004 1:09 am

An annual rite of fall occurred yesterday for Virginia's public schools--the release of state testing results. And most Fredericksburg-area schools are performing at high levels.

Seventy-five of 88 local schools earned the state's top rating--fully accredited.

That means a significant percentage of students passed the state's Standards of Learning tests in English, math, science and social studies. Students are tested in grades 3, 5 and 8, and in high school.

Statewide, 84 percent of Virginia's 1,807 schools are fully accredited this year. In 2003, only 78 percent of schools met that benchmark.

This is the first time all 24 Stafford County schools are fully accredited. All Orange County schools accomplished the feat for the second straight year.

"We're delighted," said Alexis Smith, Orange County's director of instruction.

The Virginia Board of Education adopted the Standards of Learning in 1995. Annual tests began in the 1997-98 school year.

Requirements for full accreditation have evolved over the years.

On most tests, and in most grades, schools have to get at least a 70 percent pass rate on every exam to earn full accreditation.

Last year, third-grade scores in science and social studies were counted only if they helped a school. To be fully accredited this year, at least 50 percent of third-graders had to pass science and social-studies exams.

The combined pass rate for third- and fifth-graders on the English test had to be at least 75 percent this year--compared with 70 percent last year.

There are now just two categories--fully accredited and accredited with warning. Schools accredited with warning missed anywhere from a single point to dozens.

There used to be four categories.

The change made it harder to be fully accredited, said Julie Grimes, a Virginia Department of Education spokeswoman. Despite that, more schools qualified.

"It continues to show that the Standards of Learning are doing what they're supposed to do," Grimes said.

Jo Lynne DeMary, the state's superintendent of public instruction, said she had hoped more schools accredited with warning would meet all the standards.

"There's some disappointment there," she said. "But that does not overshadow my excitement for the 84 percent that are fully accredited."

Schools that aren't fully accredited get reviewed by the state and must adopt improvement plans.

For information on your child's school, visit the Virginia Department of Education Web site at pen.k12.va.us.

Superintendent Jerry Hill said he is pleased with his school system's results. All schools, with the exception of Berkeley Elementary, are fully accredited.

"It's a big improvement," he said. "Having one not make it--and that being the only one--is the best we've done."

Berkeley, located at Blades Corner, is the county's smallest school. Berkeley fell below state benchmarks in English, math and fifth-grade science.

For the first time, every Stafford school is fully accredited.

"I attribute it to really good teaching that's focused in on what kids need to learn and kids really mastering it as well," said Peter Vernimb, executive director of instructional services.

Several schools showed significant improvement in math scores.

Vernimb highlighted two schools--Rocky Run Elementary and Stafford Elementary.

Rocky Run fifth-graders had a 71 percent pass rate on the math exam, an 11 percent jump from last year.

And at Stafford Elementary, 80 percent of fifth-graders passed the math exam, up from 60 percent last year.

Vernimb said hiring math specialists at those schools made the difference.

He also noted that Stafford's countywide pass rate on the high school U.S. history exam was 91 percent.

Each school will get a banner similar to those awarded for athletic championships to honor its full accreditation.

"It's nice to celebrate athletic achievements, but it's also very important to celebrate academic achievements," Vernimb said.

Hugh Mercer Elementary School was accredited with warning. Fredericksburg's middle and high schools are fully accredited.

Hugh Mercer met all standards except for English. Just 71 percent of third-graders passed--a result that would have met last year's standards.

Hugh Mercer's scores have been steadily improving the past few years, said Marci Catlett, assistant superintendent for instruction and personnel.

Four of Caroline County's six schools are fully accredited. Caroline High and Caroline Middle are accredited with warning.

Caroline High students didn't meet standards in math, science or history. Caroline Middle students met all requirements except English--which 68 percent passed.

Seven of Culpeper's eight schools are fully accredited this year.

"It's the best we've ever done, and that's terrific," said Larry Parker, schools spokesman.

Culpeper Middle School failed to make the top rating by just a single percentage point on its history exam.

Culpeper High School is fully accredited for the first time, Parker said.

King George High and Potomac Elementary are fully accredited this year.

King George Elementary and King George Middle are accredited with warning, but missed passing scores by only a few percentage points.

King George Elementary had a 69 percent pass rate on its math exam, when it needed 70 percent.

King George Middle had a 65 percent pass rate on its history exam, and 66 percent of students passed the English exam.

Each of Orange County's eight public schools met state standards and is fully accredited.

"We'll continue to focus on all students being successful," Smith said. "We've set our benchmarks at 100 percent and will continue to strive for growth."

Three of Westmoreland's schools are accredited with warning. One school, Montross Middle, has scores under review.

Washington & Lee High missed full accreditation only in science. Fifty-nine percent of its students passed that exam.

At Cople Elementary, 69 percent of third- and fifth-graders passed the English exam. Fifty-five percent of fifth-graders passed the science exam, and 58 percent passed the social-studies test.

Washington District Elementary missed full accreditation in several subjects. It had a 71 percent pass rate on third- and fifth-grade English exams, just a few points below the new 75 percent requirement.

Sixty-eight percent of students passed the math exam, and only 62 percent passed the science exam.

Colonial Beach Elementary was fully accredited, but the town high school was accredited with warning.

The high school met all standards other than science--which 64 percent of students passed.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

To reach KELLY HANNON: 540/374-5436 khannon@freelancestar.com