All schools in the Williamsburg-James City County School Division and the York County School Division earned full accreditation for the 2015-2016 academic year.
To achieve full accreditation, students in elementary and middle schools must achieve pass rates of 75 percent or more on English reading and writing SOL tests and 70 percent or more on math, science and history SOL tests, according to the Virginia Department of Education.
High school students must meet those same pass rates but the school must also achieve 85 points or more based on the state’s Graduation and Completion Index, according to the department.
All WJCC and York schools have met those requirements and have been accredited since the Commonwealth implemented its accountability program in 2002.
Scott Thorpe, director of assessments, accountability and special programs for WJCC, said achieving full accreditation is a testament to the division’s school communities and parent communities.
“We really view the SOLs as kind of the floor, but our teachers have worked so hard to create rich and creative lessons,” Thorpe said. “We build on that every year.”
Stephanie Guy, chief academic officer for York schools, wrote in an email that the students’ success would not be possible without dedicated teachers, administrators, staff and supportive families.
“While we commend our schools’ accreditation status, the gains made by students, demonstrating their mastery of skills, was most impressive this year,” Guy wrote, noting improvements in English and math scores across the school division.