School gains partial accreditation

Published 1:45 pm Monday, October 16, 2017

Bacon District Elementary School (BDES) received the status of “Partially Accredited: Reconstituted School” for 2017 based on Standards of Learning (SOL) test scores from the previous year, according to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

Nancy Leonard

This is the second year in a row the school has received the “Partially Accredited: Reconstituted School” status.

Division Superintendent Nancy Leonard said she was extremely proud of BDES.

“It is an outstanding school with a top-notch principal and a knowledgeable, hard working and caring faculty and staff,” Leonard said. “I appreciate that VDOE recognized the progress made by Bacon District students on the SOL assessments.”

BDES was termed as “To Be Determined,” in September for not having met the state benchmark for English SOL tests, according to the VDOE.

“They earned improving status because BDES has made such significant gains and is nearing the benchmark of 75 percent in reading,” Leonard said in a previous interview. “They have surpassed the required pass rate in all other subject areas.”

“For a school to earn full accreditation, students must achieve adjusted pass rates of at least 75 percent in English and at least 70 percent on assessments in mathematics, science and history,” VDOE officials said in a September press release.

“High schools must also meet a benchmark for graduation and completion. Accreditation ratings may also reflect an average of achievement over several years.”

Randolph-Henry, Central Middle, Phenix Elementary and Eureka Elementary were all deemed as fully accredited for 2017.