Three out of every four Chesterfield County schools are being designated as fully accredited for at least the next two school years based on sustained levels of high academic achievement.
In all, 46 Chesterfield County schools will benefit from state legislation passed in 2016 that says public schools in Virginia that had been fully accredited for three straight years would be fully accredited for three more years. The guaranteed full accreditation started with the 2016-17 school year and will be acknowledged officially in accreditation ratings that are released later this fall. Forty-five of the schools will be fully accredited through the 2018-19 school year; one school (Carver College and Career Academy) will be fully accredited through the 2019-20 school year.
“It is great to see our schools rewarded for sustained levels of outstanding work,” School Board Chair Javaid Siddiqi said. “This common-sense decision by state officials will help relieve unnecessary stress in the classroom and should be an impetus to reigniting the love of learning throughout the state by unleashing the genius of innovative teaching ideas.”
“This change aligns well with our belief that schools should be innovating instead of focusing on the state’s Standards of Learning,” Superintendent James Lane added. “Without the year-long pressure to perform on a one-day, year-end test, teachers and administrators will have more freedom to engage students in fun yet relevant and authentic learning experiences.”
At the conclusion of the three-year period, the Virginia Department of Education will re-examine results for each school. Those schools who would have been fully accredited based on results would be granted full accreditation status for another three years.
These Chesterfield County schools have been awarded full accreditation based on the General Assembly’s action: Alberta Smith Elementary, Bailey Bridge Middle, Bellwood Elementary, Bensley Elementary, Bettie Weaver Elementary, Beulah Elementary, Bon Air Elementary, Wells Elementary, Curtis Elementary, Carver College and Career Academy, Clover Hill Elementary, Cosby High, Crestwood Elementary, Ecoff Elementary, Davis Middle, Scott Elementary, Enon Elementary, Evergreen Elementary, Grange Hall Elementary, Greenfield Elementary, Chalkley Elementary, Watkins Elementary, Hening Elementary, Jacobs Road Elementary, James River High, Manchester High, Manchester Middle, Matoaca Elementary, Matoaca Middle, Matoaca High, Midlothian Middle, Midlothian High, Monacan High, Gates Elementary, Providence Elementary, Reams Road Elementary, Robious Elementary, Robious Middle, Spring Run Elementary, Swift Creek Elementary, Swift Creek Middle, Thomas Dale High, Tomahawk Creek Middle, Gordon Elementary, Winterpock Elementary and Woolridge Elementary.
