Highest Achievement Exemplar Award, 2023
Exemplar Performance Awards
About the Awards
Schools are identified for exemplar performance under the Board of Education's authority prescribed in the Regulations Establishing the Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8VAC20-131.410).
These recognitions may include:
- Public announcements recognizing individual schools and divisions
- Tangible rewards
- Waivers of certain board regulations
- Exemptions from certain reporting requirements
- Other commendations deemed appropriate to recognize high achievement
Highest Achievement Award
For the 2022-2023 award year, 48 schools met the criteria for the Highest Achievement Award.
Criteria:
- The school must be Accredited.
- The school meets state benchmark in reading, math and science (75% for reading and 70% for math and science) based on current year pass rates.
- All student groups within the school meet state benchmarks in reading and math.
- For schools with two student groups, there is no more than five percentage points between the lowest performing group and all other students.
- For schools with three or more student groups, there is no more than ten percentage points between the lowest performing group and all other students.
Continuous Improvement Award
For the 2022-2023 school year, 93 schools are being recognized for the Continuous Improvement Award.
Criteria (school must meet at least one):
- The school demonstrates an increase in the combined rate for math, reading and science for each of the past three years, with a total increase of ten points or more.
- The school demonstrates an increase in the combined rate for two or more student groups in reading and math for each of the past three years, with a total increase of ten points or more.
- The school demonstrates an increase in the Graduation and Completion Index (GCI) for each of the past three years, with a total increase of four percent or more, and a decrease in the dropout rate for each of the past three years, with a total reduction of 15 percent or more of the first year's dropout rate.
Innovative Practice Award
Seven school divisions and one school are being recognized with the Innovative Practice Award.
Eligibility and Criteria:
- Open to all accreditation-eligible schools, any school division, and any local school board.
- School- or division-wide implementation of a new or creative evidence-based alternative to existing practices.
- Practice must be implemented for at least two full academic years.
- Goals and objectives must align with specific priority areas such as STEM learning, family relationships, school environment, teacher retention, and developing life-ready students.