We Believe: 2023-24 PCS Accountability Data Results Trend Up

Through an industrious focus on growth and a firm resolve to exceed proficiency levels, Pitt County Schools displayed marked improvement in the 2023-24 performance grades and accountability measures released Wednesday by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).

In addition to a four-year graduation rate increase and the elimination of seven low-performing school status labels, the district also experienced notable gains that included 83 percent of its schools either meeting and surpassing growth expectations. From a comparison standpoint, PCS outperformed the state in grade-level proficiency for all subjects in nearly 62 percent of the subgroups. 

Also, while the pandemic created a surplus of pointed recovery efforts over the past three years, the data results released suggest that restoration has not only been reached within Pitt County Schools, but exceeded.

"Overall, our data indicates that our approach to teaching and learning, and instructional strategies, has enabled us to be in a much better place," PCS Interim Superintendent Dr. Steve Lassiter said. "This year our theme is We Believe, and as evident by the accountability data, it is showing we are on the move with great outcomes from our students, phenomenal teachers and school leaders, and a wonderful community that has rallied around our schools.

"Collectively, we are all responsible for the success we've had this past school year and we continue to believe we are going to continue to raise achievement and close academic gaps for all students in Pitt County Schools. We are certainly proud of the progress made by all of our schools."

The student achievement data for the 2023-24 school year is based on analysis of all end-of-grade (EOG) and end-of-course (EOC) tests, which are aligned to the North Carolina Standard Course of Study in English Language Arts (Reading) and Mathematics and the Essential Standards in Science for all public schools in North Carolina.

School Performance Grades are letter grades based on a school’s achievement score (80 percent) and students’ academic growth over one year (20 percent).

Overall, of the 36 schools within Pitt County Schools that are assessed, two received an A grade; six schools received a B grade; 13 schools received a C grade and 15 received a D grade. There were no schools which received an F performance grade.

● Schools receiving an A performance grade are: Innovation Early College High School, PCS Early College High School.
● Schools receiving a B performance grade are: Chicod School, D.H. Conley High School, Hope Middle School, J.H. Rose High School, South Central High School, Wintergreen Primary/Intermediate School.
● Schools receiving a C performance grade are: Ayden-Grifton High School, Ayden Elementary School, Creekside Elementary School, Eastern Elementary School, Elmhurst Elementary School, Farmville Central High School, G.R. Whitfield School, North Pitt High School, Pitt County Virtual School, Ridgewood Elementary School, Sam D. Bundy/H.B. Sugg Elementary School, Stokes School and W.H. Robinson Elementary School.
● Schools receiving a D performance grade are: A.G. Cox Middle School, Ayden Middle School, Belvoir Elementary School, Bethel School, C.M. Eppes Middle School, E.B. Aycock Middle School, Falkland Elementary School, Farmville Middle School, Grifton School, Lakeforest Elementary School, Northwest Elementary School, Pactolus School, South Greenville Elementary, Wahl-Coates Elementary School, Wellcome Middle School.

Data Highlights
● Four-year graduation increased from 82.3 to 83.9
● Over 83 percent of schools met or exceeded expected growth (30 of 36).
● Ayden Elementary, Creekside, E.B. Aycock, Grifton, Hope, Lakeforest, North Pitt, Northwest, Bundy/Sugg, South Central, Wellcome and Wintergreen all exceeded expected growth (12).
● Creekside, Elmhurst, E.B. Aycock, Grifton, Northwest, Bundy/Sugg and Wellcome (7) exited Low Performing Status by meeting or exceeding growth and/or earning a C or higher School Performance Grade.
● PCS outperformed the state of North Carolina in grade-level proficiency for all subjects in 13 of the 21 subgroups.
● 21 of 35 schools (excluding Sadie Saulter Pre-K Center) increased school achievement for the 23-24 school year.
● The ACT composite score proficiency percentage increased from 37.7 to 54.7. PCS outperformed the state in the ACT composite by 14.4 percentage points for the 23-24 school year.
● Black students in grades 3-12 demonstrated increases in grade-level proficiency within the subject areas of Math, Reading, and Science.
● English learners are steadily improving on the language proficiency assessment, with 28.8 percent of students demonstrating progress.
● 42.1 percent of 3rd graders are reading at or above grade level as measured by the End-of-Grade Assessment.
● 56.6 percent of students who took the 10th grade English II EOC are reading at or above grade level.
● Students with Disabilities in grades 3-12 demonstrated increases in grade-level proficiency within the subject areas of Math and Biology.
● 28 of 34 schools with Economically Disadvantaged Student subgroups met or exceeded expected growth.

For more information, please visit the applicable NCDPI site here.