Hamilton Herald Masthead

Editorial


Front Page - Friday, September 23, 2022

State gives Hamilton County Schools a passing grade




The latest release of Hamilton County student testing data from the Tennessee Department of Education indicates an overall rating of “Satisfactory” for the district’s accountability efforts.

Additionally, the state recognized 13 Hamilton County schools as Level 5 schools for the academic growth their students demonstrated during the spring testing period.

“We’re pleased to see the continued growth of students in Hamilton County,” says HCS Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “However, we have more work to do. Our focus will continue to be on providing opportunities and access across all grade levels throughout the district to move the achievement and growth needles in a positive direction for all students.”

District accountability evaluates six indicators and weighs them equally to determine a school system’s performance: grades 3-5 success rate, grades 6-8 success rate, grades 9-12 success rate, chronically out of school rates, English language proficiency assessment results and graduation rate.

Brainerd High School was removed from the state’s list of priority schools based on its 2021-2022 performance. Priority schools are those with scores in the lowest-performing 5% of schools across the state or a graduation rate of less than 67%.

“Brainerd High School exiting the priority list is an example of how connecting with our students and focusing on academic press and personalization can impact the outcomes of our students,” says HCS deputy superintendent Sonia Stewart. “Brainerd rallied around its high school to provide support in a variety of ways, all of which helped to build the foundation for greater success.”

The state recognized 13 Hamilton County schools as Reward Schools, a designation for schools that showed exemplary performance and progress in academics, attendance, graduation rate and college readiness.

HCS Reward Schools include:

• Bess T. Shepherd Elementary

• Big Ridge Elementary

• Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy

• Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts

• Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences Upper

• Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State

• Hixson Elementary

• Lookout Mountain Elementary

• Lookout Valley Elementary

• STEM School Chattanooga

• Thrasher Elementary

• Westview Elementary

• Woodmore Elementary

HCS Level 5 schools include:

• Bess T. Shepherd Elementary

• Central High

• Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence

• Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy

• Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts

• Chattanooga Preparatory School

• Chattanooga School for Arts and Sciences Upper

• East Hamilton High

• Hixson Elementary

• Lookout Mountain Elementary

• Ooltewah Middle

• Red Bank High

• Tyner Academy

HCS priority schools include:

• Calvin Donaldso• Environmental Science Academy

• Dalewood Middle

• East Lake Academy of Fine Arts

• Hamilton County Virtual School

• Hardy Elementary

• Orchard Knob Elementary

• Orchard Knob Middle

• The Howard School

Source: HCS