Accomplishment
Hamilton County Schools has enjoyed historic success in the past year for academic growth and academic performance. The district had a district record 32 schools earn Reward status from the Tennessee Department of Education. Nolan Elementary in the Rock Point Learning Community is one of those schools, and they held a special assembly program recently to unveil their new banner from the state. Reward schools are those improving overall student academic achievement and student growth for all students and student groups. Reward designation is the highest honor for academic achievement in Tennessee. Robert Sharpe, executive director of the Rock Point Learning Community and Board Member Kathy Lennon, representing District 2, presented the banner at Nolan.
Historic Achievement
Student academic growth and accomplishment in Hamilton County Schools showed historic levels of improvement this year. Hamilton County Schools was ranked second of districts in the state for student growth on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS.) TVAAS measures academic growth for districts and schools using a range from Level 1 to Level 5. For the first time, the district's overall composite and each subject area achieved Level 5 - the highest level of academic growth. The subjects include literacy, numeracy, social studies, and literacy and numeracy. The 45 schools earning Level 5 is almost double the number of Hamilton County schools that earned Level 5 last year. There were 21 schools also earning Level 5 in all five subject areas. The district’s jump in achievement from the rank of number 130 in the state three years ago to number two today makes Hamilton County Schools the fastest improving school district in Tennessee. The new goal for the district is to be one of the best school districts in the state.
Hamilton County Reward Schools for 2019
Allen Elementary, Alpine Crest Elementary, Apison Elementary, Bess T. Shepherd Elementary, Big Ridge Elementary, Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts, Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Upper, Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences Lower, Daisy Elementary, McConnell Elementary, DuPont Elementary, East Hamilton School, East Brainerd Elementary, Middle Valley Elementary, Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State, Loftis Middle, Lookout Mountain Elementary, Hixson Elementary, Nolan Elementary, Ooltewah Elementary, Lakeside Academy, Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, Red Bank Middle, Rivermont Elementary, Sale Creek Middle/High, Soddy Elementary, Thrasher Elementary, Wallace A. Smith Elementary, Westview Elementary, STEM School Chattanooga, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, and Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence.
What the accomplishment means for Hamilton County Schools
A record number of Reward schools and Level 5 schools helps the district advance the goal of Accelerating Student Achievement in the Future Ready 2023 five-year action plan.