BCPS gets 1 A, 4 Bs, 14 Cs, 5 Ds in annual assessment

The latest school district status report shows Burke County Public Schools is making the grade in some areas but falling short of goals at some schools.

The state board met and released test scores on Sept. 4, revealing that BCPS has made gains in reading, math, and the graduation rate. The results also show that five schools received a D — the same number of schools at that mark last year — and four fewer schools earned a B this year (four vs. eight).

Other statistics of interest:

• Three fewer schools have met or exceeded growth expectations this year (17) than last year (20).
• All elementary schools made expected growth and six schools exceeded growth in math.
• Table Rock Middle School moved out of the low-performing school designation.
• Burke Middle College received an A for school performance with a 100% graduation rate.
• Last year, 11 schools earned a C, compared to 14 this year.
• BCPS scored higher than state average in Level 3 and Level 4 math performance, missing Level 5 by .4% in 2023.
• BCPS fell below state average in English proficiency, but overall has shown a steady increase in the percentage of students meeting progress targets or exiting English learner status over the past three years.

Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan is accentuating the positive.

“These results are a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the perseverance of our students, and the support of our parents and the community,” he said.

School leadership realizes there is more to be done.

“We continue to have robust remediation plans in place for our four schools categorized as ‘Schools of Improvement’ and will work hard this year to meet the instructional support needs of these schools,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Karen Auton said.

The four Schools of Improvement graded with a D are Forest Hill, Oak Hill, and Hillcrest elementary schools and East Burke Middle School.

The school district has focused on improving daily attendance and increasing the graduation rate. That pointed attention appears to be paying off.

Graduation rates last year reached 88.2, compared to 87.9 in 2023. The district’s graduation rate has been higher than the state average since 2015. According to Swan, BCPS uses North Carolina’s Portrait of a Graduate as a guiding point. Portrait of a Graduate is designed to bridge the gap between K-12 education and workforce readiness.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the achievements of our students and schools. These results released today show gains in our district in reading, our graduation rate, and schools meeting or exceeding expected growth,” Swan said. “While there is always room for improvement, these results reflect the hard work and growth we’ve achieved together. “We look forward to building on this success in the year ahead.”

OTHER RECENT EDUCATION NEWS

The U.S. Department of Education recently awarded a GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grant to Appalachian State University’s College Access Partnerships with Burke County as one of the twelve school districts listed.

The seven-year, $35 million grant represents the largest single grant ever awarded to the university and extends the GEAR UP program in Burke County Public Schools.

“Burke County Public Schools has been fortunate to have GEAR UP in our district since 2014. The awareness the program offers our students about their post-high school opportunities is invaluable. We are so excited for Appalachian State University and our students that this grant has been extended and more students will benefit from this program,” Swan said.

The GEAR UP NC Appalachian Partnership aims to improve college-going mindsets, high school graduation rates, and postsecondary enrollment rates.

GEAR UP is a federally funded college access program designed to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education immediately after high school.