Yesterday marked the release of the ABCs of Public Education, and schools in Surry County received positive results overall.

Results showed that in the Surry County School System, 16 of 17 schools met expected growth, and nine schools also met high growth. All four of the schools in the Mount Airy City School System met expected growth, with three achieving high growth. Millennium Charter Academy did not meet either expected or high growth.

Results are calculated based on End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests administered in the 2009-2010 school year. The ABCs of Public Education was created by the State Board of Education as a response to the School-Based Management and Accountability Program enacted in 1996 by the General Assembly. The ABCs are used to measure a school’s growth and performance. Schools are eligible for special recognitions if they attain the standards.

Official Adequate Yearly Progress results also were announced. In order for a school to make AYP, which is a national measure of success, each student subgroup (such as black, Hispanic, white, students with disabilities, etc.) must have a 95-percent participation rate in statewide assessments and must meet proficiency targets in reading and mathematics. The school also must meet its set goals and show progress in attendance or the graduation rate.

The Surry County School System showed progress with its ABCs report. All schools achieved a performance composite of 77 percent or above, with 14 schools performing above 80 percent. This is a 100-percent increase from the previous school year when looking at schools with performance composites over 80 percent. As it did last year, Shoals Elementary School received the highest performance composite of the school system with 88.7 percent.

Thirteen of the schools achieved the status of School of Distinction, with three achieving School of Progress. That totals 94.1 percent of Surry County Schools receiving state recognition. In addition, 14 of 17 Surry County Schools made AYP.

“We are extremely pleased with the ABCs and AYP results for our school system,” said Dr. Ashley Hinson, superintendent for Surry County Schools. “Results remain well above the state average and speak very highly of the dedication and effort put forth by all the students, employees and parents of the Surry County School System.”

Mount Airy City Schools saw an increase in proficiency at each school. J.J. Jones Intermediate School saw an increase in the performance composite from 73.5 percent to 75.9 percent. B.H. Tharrington Primary School is not tested under the state accountability system, so the school receives the same designation as Jones Intermediate. Mount Airy Middle School increased proficiency from 80.7 percent to 89.2 percent, and Mount Airy High School’s percentage went from 81.1 percent to 91.6 percent. According to school officials, the high school had the highest performance composite rate of any high school in Surry County or five surrounding counties in the state.

Tharrington Primary and Jones Intermediate were designated as Schools of Progress, and Mount Airy Middle School was named a School of Distinction. Mount Airy High School achieved the highest recognition category — Honor School of Excellence. Only 200 schools, or eight percent of the public schools statewide, receive this designation.

“We set high expectations and goals for academic achievement and these results are another indication that our students are receiving a quality education,” said Dr. Darrin Hartness, superintendent for Mount Airy City Schools. “Schools in our district continue to meet and exceed state academic growth standards.”

Millennium Charter Academy achieved AYP but did not meet expected growth. The school’s performance composite was 76.

“We didn’t make expected growth. I’m disappointed, but we will certainly look at our scores and analyze them and we’ll move forward from here and we’ll just keep providing strong education,” said Kirby McCrary, headmaster at Millennium Charter Academy.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.