Five schools in the City of Danville have earned full accreditation. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) recently released the 2024-25 school quality profiles, which include data for accreditation, assessments, college and career readiness, and federal accountability (ESSA). Danville Public Schools (DPS) saw eight schools or programs either make or maintain gains in student achievement.

For the 24-25 school year, Park Avenue Elementary, Westwood Middle, Schoolfield Elementary, Forest Hills Elementary, and Galileo Magnet High have earned full accreditation; the first time in a decade that DPS has seen five accredited schools at the same time. All other schools have been accredited with conditions.

“For the past several years, staff at DPS has been dedicated to improving outcomes for our students,” School Board Chair Ty’Quan Graves said. “This growth shows that their work is moving the division in the right direction, and we are closer to achieving our goals for all students.” 

O.T. Bonner Middle School and George Washington High School also saw significant improvement in reading and mathematics pass rates. Compared to the 22-23 school year, GW’s reading pass rate increased to 78% from 63% and math pass rate to 72% from 35%. In 23-24, Bonner increased its combined reading pass and growth rate to 72% from 57% and math combined pass and growth rate to 79% from 61% over the 22-23 school year. In addition, the Activ8 STEM Academy, a program not eligible for accreditation, saw exemplary student achievement in its first year with a 90% pass rate in both mathematics and reading.

 “We are incredibly proud of the growth we’ve seen across the district,” Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston said. “Our administrators, teachers, and staff have worked diligently to reach or maintain accreditation, and we thank them for their efforts.” 

Attendance 

With a laser-like focus on attendance in recent years, all accredited schools and three additional schools received a Level One in the chronic absenteeism school quality indicator. This means that less than 10% of their student body missed 10%, or approximately 18 days, of the school year. 

“We know that when students attend school, they achieve better,” Hairston said. 

To help ensure students are in school, principals have been working with DPS’ five social workers to address any needs that may be affecting attendance. In 2023, DPS also introduced the Alternative to Suspension Program, which allows middle and high school students meeting certain criteria to have a safe, restorative, and instructional space with adults during their suspension from school. Students who participate in the program are able to recover missed instructional time. During the 23-24 school year, this program served 150 students and reclaimed approximately 500 instructional days. 

Other opportunities, such as Saturday School and after-school programs funded by the All-In Plan, also allowed students to make up for instructional time lost to absences.