92 GCS Schools Met or Exceeded Growth in 2023-24

Sept. 4, 2024 – Guilford County Schools (GCS) is celebrating marked academic progress, with 77 schools showing increased proficiency and 92 schools meeting or exceeding growth in 2023-24, according to state accountability data released today. In fact, 36 schools had overall proficiency levels at or above pre-COVID levels in 2018-19.

“These results show that interventions such as high-dosage tutoring and learning hubs are helping students get back on track,” says Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley. “We will continue to focus on what works to accelerate learning and prepare students for the world.”

Early Literacy

GCS showed strong gains in early literacy, as measured by DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy). While 50% of students started the year behind, those numbers were reversed by the end of the year with students in every student group showing double-digit percentage point gains.

End-of-Grade (EOG) Testing

For students in grades 3-8, math proficiency scores improved for each student group, except English Learners, and at every grade level. Sixty-two schools increased EOG math proficiency, and six middle schools improved Grade 8 Math 1 proficiency by more than 25 percentage points.  

EOG reading scores increased at grades 3, 5 and 6, with third grade showing the largest increase – 3.3 percentage points, as compared to last academic year. Fifty-one schools showed an increase in reading proficiency.

In grade 5, EOG science scores increased overall and for nearly all student groups except Hispanic and English Learners. Forty-one elementary schools and 11 middle schools showed increased science proficiency.

End-of-Course (EOC) Testing

At the high school level, GCS showed gains in three out of four EOC assessments – High School Math 1, Math 3 and Biology. Math 3 scores surpassed pre-pandemic levels by nearly 10 points, and all student groups increased proficiency in high school Math 1 and Math 3.

Academic Growth and School Performance Grades

Ninety-two schools met or exceeded growth last year, an increase of 17 schools as compared to 2022-23. GCS schools had close to a 50% drop in the number of schools not meeting growth compared to 2022-23.

School performance grades also improved, with a net of 10 schools moving out of the state F designation. Only six schools received an F designation in 2023-24. GCS also had a 13.2 point decrease in the percent of low-performing schools.

Graduation Rate and Other Accountability Measures

GCS achieved its highest ever graduation rate of 92.2%, higher than the state and other large North Carolina districts. This includes the highest ever graduation rate for Black and Hispanic students and students with disabilities and English Learners. Ten schools had 100% graduation rates, and 12 schools had graduation rates of 90% and above.

Learning hubs continue to impact student success. Students who attended learning hubs had a 96.7% graduation rate, compared with a rate of 89.4% among students who did not attend.

Chronic absenteeism rates have decreased for the second straight year, falling below 2021-22 but remaining higher than rates prior to the pandemic. At every grade span and for all student groups, chronic absenteeism rates decreased.

"Guilford County Schools is performing better today than three years ago. With the right funding, we are proving that we can make steady academic progress. We are committed to serving every student, regardless of their background or circumstances, and we will continue to show up for our kids and provide them with the support they need to thrive,” says Oakley. “I am proud of our educators, and I am confident that the strategies we have in place are moving the needle to impact learning and life outcomes. Together, we will navigate our challenges and continue to press on.”

For state results, click here.