Dr. Elease Frederick, HCS superintendent, said that over the past year the graduation rate has improved by more than 15 percent, that academic achievement has increased by over three percent, that seven of the district’s 11 schools showed academic improvement, that five schools achieved above the 50th percentile, that three schools met expected growth criteria, and that Southeast Halifax High School had a dramatic gain of over 10 points academically.
“We are very pleased to see these gains,” said Frederick. “This proves we are going in the right direction and we fully expect to improve even more in the coming year.”
Assistant Superintendent Tyrana Battle noted that the district achieved a 15.3-point increase in the four-year cohort graduation rate, which represents the percentage of high school students that graduate within four years. The four-year graduation rate is now 70.1 percent, significantly higher than 54.8 percent rate last year.
Northwest Halifax High School’s graduation rate increased 11.6 points, from 57.8 to 69.4 percent. Southeast Halifax High Schools graduation rate increased 13.7 points, from 58.9 to 72.6 percent.
Frederick pointed out that student achievement in the district improved by more than three percentage points over last year, with 40.5 percent of students at or above grade level for the 2009-2010 school year. The composite score for 2008-2009 was at 37.2 percent.
On the academic gains recorded this year, HCS Director of Testing and Accountability Margaret Howard said seven of the district’s 11 schools increased the number of students scoring at or above grade level as compared to last year’s data.
The seven schools showing growth this year are Aurelian Springs Elementary, Enfield Middle, Everetts Elementary, Hollister Elementary, Northwest Halifax High, Southeast Halifax High, and W.R. Davie Middle
Howard said that three schools in the district – Enfield Middle, Hollister Elementary, and Southeast Halifax High – achieved “Expected Growth” status.
Five schools in the district achieved Performance Composite scores (an average score representing achievement on both reading and math) of 50 percent or better.
Howard pointed out that Hollister Elementary School had a 54 percent Performance Composite, and four schools achieved a Performance Composite of 50 percent – Aurelian Springs Elementary, Everetts Elementary, Pittman Elementary, and Scotland Neck Primary.
Southeast Halifax High’s Performance Composite dramatically increased by over 10 points, up from 28.4 percent in 2009 to 38.5 this year.
Frederick attributed the improved student achievement throughout the district to a rigorous effort by the district’s instructional personnel and the three-year partnership with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) that started last year.
“This partnership is working,” said Frederick. “This is a partnership that puts this district’s children first and foremost. We are all working together to prepare our students for the 21st Century, regardless of the path they chart. Working together does work.”
The Halifax/DPI partnership provides all instructional staff in the district with the professional development and assistance they need to increase rigor in the curriculum, make instruction more relevant to students, and improve relationships between teachers, students, parents and the community.
During a special presentation to the NC Board of Education, Dr. Pat Ashley, DPI’s director for district and school transformation, praised her staff and the instructional staff and administrators of Halifax County Schools for the hard work and commitment they have all put into making this year’s gains happen.
After presenting a report to the NCBOE about the successes across the state with school transformation and this year’s gains for Halifax County Schools, Ashley pointed out, “It takes more than one year for dramatic turnaround.”
Ashley added that dramatic turnaround for the district is the goal and that the goal will be achieved.

Weldon schools

Weldon City Schools announced that Weldon Elementary School and Weldon STEM High School met Expected Growth. Weldon Middle School met High Growth. Roanoke Valley Early College is a School of Progress.
“The faculty and staff of Weldon City Schools continue to charge Into Excellence with a level of enthusiasm that motivates our students,” the system said in a news release. “We are totally committed to the ongoing improvement of our students; therefore, we are moving forward with innovative instructional technology and programs to actively engage our students. We look forward to the continuous success of this district.”