North Carolina schools have received their 2015-2016 School Report Cards, which provide school performance grades and data on student achievement, school safety and technology, teacher quality, and more.
This is the second in a series of blog posts Real Estate Experts will publish covering School Report Card results for school districts throughout Triangle.
The Orange County School District is comprised of thirteen schools: seven elementary (including one year-round school), three middle schools, and three high schools. These schools serve approximately 7,500 students. According to the Orange County schools’ Report Card data, 62.2 percent of students rated proficient last year, with just under 60 percent in 2014-15. But just over half of students–53 percent–scored high enough to be considered college and career-ready in 2015-16. Orange County school system’s four-year graduate rate rose to 89.3 percent this year, up from 88 percent in 2014-15.
Of the 115 public school districts in North Carolina, the Orange County School District rose from 36th to 27th in the state rankings this year. “I am very proud of our students and staff for their hard work and dedication, as well as their openness to change,” said Superintendent Todd Wirt. “While we are encouraged by the gains we have made, we are more focused than even on improving academic achievement for all of our students and working toward closing of achievement gaps that have persisted for too long.”
Math scores for third through eighth grade students showed growth in proficiency among all student groups. The largest gains in math were experienced by minority students: African-American +7%, Hispanic/Latino by +8%, White +4%, Limited English Proficient +7%, Students with Disabilities +4%, and Economically Disadvantaged +8%.
The Orange County School District stated it was proud to announce it has no “Low Performing Schools,” as identified by North Carolina guidelines. All Orange County Schools earned a School Performance Grade of C or above. Efland-Cheeks Global Elementary School raised its school performance score by 12 points, moving from a D in last year to a C in 2015-16. Efland-Cheeks Global experienced growth in all areas: reading proficiency increased by 7%, math by 17%, and science by 24%. “Our staff, our community, and our students are committed to being successful; I’m so proud of the work our school community has done,” said Principal Kiley Brown.
All schools maintained or increased their letter grade on the school performance grade. Three schools grew by a letter grade. Each of the comprehensive high schools in the district rose from a grade of C to B. Cedar Ridge High School increased its school performance grade by 9 points, and Orange High increased its school performance grade by 6 points.
Stay tuned for our next post in this series, which will cover the Durham County School District School Report Cards.
You can also search the comprehensive database provided on our website to see the grades schools received over the last three years and whether the school exceeded, met or did not meet its expected academic growth.