With a focus on student achievement and a mission to ensure that every child achieves, Goochland Elementary School (GES) students and staff recently earned the school a Continuous Improvement Exemplar Award from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
GES is one of only 93 schools in Virginia that earned the VDOE award for an increase in the combined rate for two or more student groups in reading and math for each of the past three years, with a total increase across the three years of 10 points or more. With limited testing in the 2020-21 school year, the three years of improvement recognized by this award are 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2021-22.
“On behalf of the Virginia Department of Education, I am elated to recognize school staff, students, and the community for providing high expectations that have resulted in positive educational outcomes for all students,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons, Ed.D., said. “By relying on best practices and staying student-focused – especially during the pandemic – the GES team provides excellent instruction to our students,” Tina McCay, Goochland Elementary School Principal, said. “This award recognizes our efforts to help our students continue to grow academically even when faced with significant challenges.”
The VDOE award also validates the impact of the Goochland County School Board’s commitment to dedicating resources toward targeted intervention for students. GCPS initially funded expanded intervention efforts with federal COVID relief dollars, but now that those funds are no longer available, the Board prioritized this funding in the FY 2024 budget.
“Our entire staff is focused on providing students with the support they need to succeed,” McCay said. “With the added resource of an Interventionist on staff, we have been able to make significant progress toward ensuring that students improve their performance on standardized tests and are meeting their personalized educational goals,” she said.