Forty-nine Prince William schools given “School of Excellence” title

Forty-nine Prince William schools have earned the title “School of Excellence.”

The distinctions are handed out by the Prince William County School Board, and are “the highest recognition awarded to a school… based on each school’s performance data for the 2016-17 school year,” stated a release.

Among those honored were 35 elementary schools, three combined K-8 schools, six middle schools, and five high schools.

“This tells us our schools are making real progress in helping students achieve proficiency in the core subject areas that are vital to their future success. We’re proud of the results and remain committed to continuous improvement for all students,” stated Prince William County Schools (PWCS) Superintendent Steven Walts.

More on the criteria for the distinction, from a release:

Schools of Excellence must be fully accredited by the state. In addition, schools are measured on various Strategic Plan indicators, including overall subject pass rates, reduction of achievement gaps between student groups, improvement in student performance, wellness, and stakeholder satisfaction. High schools are also assessed for graduation rates and for the percentage of students earning “pass advanced” status on standardized tests. Schools are awarded bonus points based on several criteria.

Schools of Excellence for 2016-17 are: