News Summary
Williamsburg-James City County Schools announced substantial gains in student performance as per the latest Standards of Learning assessments. The district showed passing rates above the state average in all five subjects, with particularly impressive increases in writing and history. Furthermore, chronic absenteeism rates dropped, and all schools within the district achieved full accreditation. Nonetheless, challenges remain, especially regarding racial disparities in academic performance, prompting the district to implement various strategies for improvement.
Williamsburg, VA – Significant Improvements in Student Performance Reported
Williamsburg-James City County Schools (WJCC) announced substantial advancements in student performance on the 2024-25 Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments, according to results released by the Virginia Department of Education on August 29. The district’s students showed notable progress, achieving passing rates in all five subject areas that surpassed the state average.
Key statistics from the assessment reveal that WJCC’s passing rates include:
- Reading: 78%
- Writing: 80%
- Mathematics: 77%
- Science: 77%
- History: 74%, an increase of 3 percentage points from the previous year
Notably, WJCC experienced an impressive 15 percentage point increase in writing proficiency and a 9 percentage point increase in history performance compared to the 2022-23 school year, reflecting a significant upward trend in academic achievement.
Chronic Absenteeism Rates and Full Accreditation
The school division also reported an improvement in its chronic absenteeism rate, which dropped to 9.9% from 10.6% the previous year. Chronic absenteeism is defined as students being absent for 10% or more of the school year. This notable reduction signals efforts to boost student attendance and engagement across the district.
All 16 schools within WJCC achieved full accreditation, signifying a commitment to quality education and the ongoing pursuit of student success.
Ongoing Academic Challenges and Strategies for Improvement
Despite the recent successes, the school division recognizes that challenges remain, particularly concerning racial disparities in educational performance. Data indicates a performance gap of 20% or more between white students and Black students across all assessed areas. This highlighted need underscores the commitment to ensuring academic success for every student, regardless of background.
In response to the learning losses intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the district has implemented several strategies, including high-dose tutoring as part of the state’s “All in VA” plan. These efforts aim to address the academic setbacks faced by students while enhancing overall achievement levels.
Future Directions and Accountability Measures
In alignment with ongoing improvements, the state is developing a new school accountability system. This system will introduce a school report card format designed to help parents better understand school performance and progress, with expectations for a rollout in summer 2025. This initiative is expected to assist in fostering a transparent environment where academic achievements and challenges are clearly communicated to all stakeholders.
Governor Glenn Youngkin acknowledged the positive trajectory of student performance, even as SOL assessments have become more rigorous, covering 30% to 40% more content than in prior years. Many districts across Hampton Roads are reporting similar patterns of slow but steady growth in SOL performance, indicating a broader regional commitment to enhanced educational outcomes.
The WJCC schools are encouraged by these advancements but remain aware of the work ahead to ensure that all students receive the support and opportunities necessary for academic success.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: WJCC Schools Outpaces State SOL Averages
- Wikipedia: Standards of Learning
- WY Daily: WJCC Schools Assessment Performance
- Google Search: WJCC schools performance
- Daily Press: WJCC Schools Improvements in SOL Scores
- Google Scholar: WJCC schools education performance
- Wavy: Candidate Profile Daniel R. Cavazos
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education Performance
- WY Daily: SOL Testing is Evolving
- Google News: WJCC education
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
