Lunenburg County Public Schools Superintendent Charles M. Berkley Jr. said that while some of the system’s latest Standards of Learning scores fell short, they “tell a story of notable academic progress.”

The SOLs showed a mixed bag for the county. Central High School was fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education — meeting all the benchmarks in English, mathematics, history and science based on current year results. The rest of the system’s schools were partially accredited, though.

“This year’s results indicate we still have opportunities for growth in preparing our students for their future,” Berkley told the members of the school board at its Monday, Nov. 9th meeting. He added that SOL test scores are just one indicator of how well a child is doing in school.

“We are proud of the advances our students have made with a steady climb of reaching the goals set by (the) Virginia Department of Education. We feel that Lunenburg is on course to reach those expectations in the near future.”

The SOLs establish minimum expectations for what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade or course level in every subject.

Victoria Elementary School and Kenbridge Elementary School were both Partially Accredited:  Warned in English and Math. Lunenburg Middle School was Partially Accredited:  Warned in Math.

All of the system’s schools met the science and history accreditation benchmark.

Berkley said the system has made a number of changes that are expected to help improve scores, including hiring a Curriculum Specialist to realign courses, the addition of Reading Specialists at the elementary and middle schools, and adding more English as a Second Language teachers throughout the division. Lunenburg schools also received a math grant through Longwood University that allowed for the enhancement of the system’s mathematics program. The system has also shifted instructional and administrative staff around “to enhance and improve our instructional teams,” Berkley said.

“There is a balance between teaching test material and providing students access to rigorous and relevant learning experiences that will teach them 21st Century skills necessary for college and career readiness,” he said. “Our school system will continue to work with the Virginia Department of Education to provide students, staff members, and schools the resources to succeed.”