Dear Families, Faculty, and Staff,
We hope you are well. We are proud to share with you that our students continue to achieve at the highest levels in Virginia according to new ratings from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Earlier today, VDOE released accreditation ratings and graduation rates for the Class of 2025. VDOE had previously released Standards of Learning (SOL) pass rates for the 2024-25 school year. This is the first year of ratings under
VDOE’s new School Performance and Support Framework, which assigns an accreditation status for schools and places schools into one of four performance categories: distinguished, on track, off track, or needs intensive support. More information on this new system can be found
on VDOE’s website.
Please note the following regarding our academic success:
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All of our schools have been designated as fully accredited by the Virginia Department of Education.
- For the 13th straight year, the HCPS on-time graduation rate exceeds 95 percent and this year’s on-time graduation rate is 95.2. The state on-time graduation rate for the Class of 2025 is 92.7 percent.
- On SOL tests in 2024-25, our students outperformed the state averages in reading, math, science, and history. Additionally, we continue to lead the Metro Richmond region in all content areas.
- We once again have the highest pass rate among Virginia’s 15 largest school divisions in math.
- A higher percentage of our students graduated with advanced diplomas (65 percent for HCPS compared with 50 percent across the state).
- Seven of our schools – three elementary schools, one middle school, and three high schools – have earned distinguished status from VDOE.
- We have the highest percentage of schools in the Metro Richmond region who are either on track or distinguished.
- While all of our schools met or exceeded the initial threshold to earn that identification, Elmont Elementary School, which is fully accredited, received an off track identification due to a reporting category in need of additional support. While additional work is needed, we are committed to offering additional supports to Elmont and other schools who are near the threshold.
- Our chronic absenteeism rate improved, dropping from 7.5 percent to 6.9 percent. Chronic Absenteeism includes students who are absent more than 10 percent of the school year regardless of the reason. The state percentage for the 2024-25 school year was 14.7 percent.
“Hanover County Public Schools continues to be a leader in public education in Virginia and this information validates what we celebrate every day: the incredibly meaningful work of educating and inspiring our students with excellence, with passion, and with kindness,” said Dr. Lisa Pennycuff, Superintendent of Schools. “Our success lies not only in academics, but in the relationships built by our faculty and staff, the kindness they show, and the confidence they instill in every student who walks through our doors. In collaboration with our School Board, we remain committed to supporting our schools and providing the necessary resources for our students and staff to succeed, preparing them for lifelong success.”
Said School Board Chair Ms. Whitney Welsh of the Henry District: “On behalf of the School Board, I would like to thank and congratulate our faculty and staff for yet another job well done. We are proud of our Tradition of Excellence in Hanover County, and this year’s academic achievement results demonstrate that the exceptional efforts of our faculty and staff are making a real and measurable difference in the lives and growth of our students. We look forward to continuing this proud tradition of success.”
More information can be found in the Virginia Department of Education’s School Quality Profile
for Hanover County Public Schools.
Thank you.
Hanover County Public Schools