NNPS News

NNPS makes major gains on Standards of Learning assessments

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Published August 25, 2026

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The Virginia Department of Education released Standards of Learning assessment data for the 2025-2026 school year on August 25, 2026.

Data for Newport News Public Schools shows significant increases in pass rates across multiple content areas in all grade levels. Based on those results, NNPS leaders anticipate that numerous additional schools will join those already in the state’s On Track and Distinguished performance categories when the 2026-2027 School Performance and Support Framework is released later this year.

NNPS is one of the 53 school divisions across the state that saw overall growth in both math and reading, according to the VDOE. Overall, math increased 3.13 percentage points and reading increased 4.24 percentage points.

“We’re extremely proud of how our innovative instructional efforts at every grade level have translated to meaningful learning for our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell. “A strong emphasis on attendance division-wide last school year also contributed to students consistently receiving and retaining material in all content areas.”

Highlights from the year-over-year SOL pass-rate comparison charts below:

• Elementary Schools: 7 of 8 elementary school measures improved. Grade 3 Reading, Grade 3 Math and Virginia Studies each gained 7 percentage points.
• Middle Schools: Grade 8 Math increased by 16 points. Grade 6 showed strong gains in both Reading (+6) and Math (+10).
• High Schools: Chemistry increased by 46 points, Earth Science by 13 points and Geometry by 7 points.

“These are not isolated results, we’re showing real progress across the school division,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kipp Rogers. “This is the next step on a continuum where we’re using our past momentum to plan our next move for future growth. We’re looking ahead to the work we’ll need to do amid changes coming for the measuring system.”

As NNPS prepares systems for the higher expectations that will come with the state’s raised standards, it will use its Teaching & Learning Framework to strengthen Tier 1 instruction and promote deeper student learning. The Framework creates a shared vision for high-quality teaching and learning across every classroom.

“Our story is absolutely about progress and our continued focus on doubling down on what’s working to shore up areas that need improvement,” Mitchell said. “We are strategizing towards the bigger picture of not teaching students just to reach a certain test score, but teaching them to be ready for what comes next.”