Achievements of 20 PWC schools recognized by Governor and State Board of Education

Governor Terry McAuliffe and the state Board of Education announced Aug. 8 that Prince William County Schools were among those that earned 2017 Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) awards for advanced learning and achievement. The VIP incentive program recognizes schools and divisions that exceed state and federal accountability standards and achieve excellence goals established by the governor and the board.

To earn the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, schools and school divisions had to meet all state and federal achievement benchmarks and achieve all applicable excellence goals for elementary reading, enrollment in Algebra I by the eighth grade, enrollment in college-level courses, high school graduation, attainment of advanced diplomas, increased attainment of career and industry certifications, and, if applicable, participation in the Virginia Preschool Initiative.

A. Henderson Elementary, Battlefield High, Patriot High, Pennington School and Thurgood Marshall Elementary in Prince William County were among 145 schools that earned the Board of Education Excellence Award, the second-tier honor in the VIP program.

These schools also met all state and federal accountability benchmarks and made significant progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanded educational opportunities set by the board.

“On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank the teachers, principals, staff and students who worked so hard to achieve this honor. The success of these schools and divisions is the direct result of their commitment,” Board of Education President Daniel A. Gecker was quoted as saying in a news release. “The Board expects that the commitment to excellence will continue throughout the upcoming school year.”

Among Prince William County Schools receiving Board of Education Distinguished Achievement Awards were Ashland Elementary, Bennett Elementary, Buckland Mills Elementary, E.H. Marsteller Middle, Gainesville Middle, Glenkirk Elementary, J.W. Alvey Elementary, Louise A. Benton Middle, Mary G. Porter Traditional, Mountain View Elementary, Old Bridge Elementary, Osbourn Park High, Rockledge Elementary, Samuel L. Gravely Jr. Elementary and T. Clay Wood Elementary.

“School success is based on student success and each of these awards highlights a school or school division where young Virginians are being well prepared for the challenges ahead,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples was quoted as saying in the release.

More information about the VIP incentive program for schools and school divisions is available on the VDOE website: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/statistics_reports/va_index_performance_awards/index.shtml