Kaine Recognizes High-Performing Virginia Schools

Many local schools are among those earning 2009 Virginia Index of Performance awards, Gov. Tim Kaine and the state Board of Education announced Thursday.

Kaine announced that 162 Virginia public schools have earned the 2009 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence. The award is the highest honor under the Virginia Index of Performance (VIP) incentive program, which was created by the Board of Education to advance Kaine’s “competence to excellence” agenda.

To qualify for the Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence, schools and school divisions must meet all state and federal achievement benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and achieve the governor’s goals for elementary reading, enrollment in Algebra I by grade 8, enrollment in college-level courses, attainment of advanced diplomas, increased attainment of career and industry certifications, and participation, if eligible, in the Virginia Preschool Initiative.

GOVERNOR’S AWARD

According to a press release from Kaine’s office, local schools earning an Award for Educational Excellence are:

*** Buchanan County — J.M. Bevins Elementary
*** Carroll County — Gladesboro Elementary
*** Grayson County — Bridle Creek Elementary
*** Lee County — Elydale Elementary, Ewing Elementary and St. Charles Elementary
*** Scott County — Fort Blackmore Primary, Hilton Elementary and Yuma Elementary
*** Tazewell County — Abbs Valley-Boissevain Elementary
*** Washington County — Rhea Valley Elementary, Valley Institute Elementary and Watauga Elementary

BOE EXCELLENCE AWARD

Twenty-four school divisions and 544 schools earned the Virginia Board of Education Excellence Award, the second-tier honor in the VIP program. These schools and divisions also met all state and federal accountability benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and have made significant progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanded educational opportunities, according to a news release from the Board of Education.

School divisions receiving Excellence Awards include Buchanan, Lee, Russell, Scott and Washington counties.

Local schools receiving Excellence Awards are:

*** Bristol — Highland View Elementary, Joseph Van Pelt Elementary, Virginia High and Washington-Lee Elementary
*** Buchanan County — Council Elementary, Grundy High, Hurley High, Riverview Elementary/Middle and Twin Valley Elementary/Middle
*** Carroll County — Fancy Gap Elementary and Oakland Elementary
*** Dickenson County — Clinchco Elementary
*** Galax — Galax Elementary
*** Grayson County — Fairview Elementary
*** Lee County — Jonesville Middle, Keokee Elementary, Pennington Middle and Rose Hill Elementary
*** Norton — Norton Elementary
*** Pulaski County — Snowville Elementary
*** Russell County — Belfast Elk Garden Elementary, Castlewood High, Cleveland Elementary and Honaker Elementary
*** Scott County — Duffield-Pattonsville Primary, Gate City High, Nickelsville Elementary, Rye Cove Intermediate, Shoemaker Elementary, Twin Springs High and Weber City Elementary
*** Smyth County — Chilhowie High and Rich Valley Elementary
*** Tazewell County — Cedar Bluff Elementary, Graham High, Graham Intermediate, Graham Middle, Richlands Elementary, Springville Elementary and Tazewell Elementary
*** Washington County — Greendale Elementary, High Point Elementary, Meadowview Elementary and Patrick Henry High
*** Wise County — Coeburn Primary, J.W. Adams Combined, Pound High, Powell Valley Primary, St. Paul Elementary, St. Paul High and Wise Primary
*** Wythe County — Rural Retreat High and Sheffey Elementary

COMPETENCE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD

Ten school divisions and 276 schools earned the BOE Competence to Excellence Award for meeting all state and federal benchmarks for at least two consecutive years and making progress toward the goals of the governor and the board.

According to the news release, local schools receiving this award are:

*** Bath County — Bath County High and Millboro Elementary
*** Bland County — Bland High
*** Bristol — Stonewall Jackson Elementary
*** Buchanan County — Council High and Twin Valley High
*** Carroll County — Carroll County High, Hillsville Elementary, Laurel Elementary and St. Paul School
*** Dickenson County — Clintwood High, Haysi High and Longs Fork Elementary
*** Galax — Galax High
*** Lee County — Elk Knob Elementary, Flatwoods Elementary and Thomas Walker High
*** Pulaski County — Critzer Elementary and Riverlawn Elementary
*** Russell County — Lebanon High
*** Scott County — Dungannon Intermediate, Gate City Middle and Rye Cove High
*** Smyth County — Chilhowie Elementary, Chilhowie Middle, Marion Middle and Northwood Middle
*** Tazewell County — North Tazewell Elementary, Raven Elementary and Richlands High
*** Washington County — Damascus Middle, E.B. Stanley Middle, Holston High and John S. Battle High
*** Wise County — Coeburn High, Coeburn Middle, J.J. Kelly High, Powell Valley High and Powell Valley Middle
*** Wythe County — Fort Chiswell High, George Wythe High, Max Meadows Elementary and Speedwell Elementary