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JACKSON – Northampton County Public Schools (NCPS) has taken a huge step forward in its work to improve education for all students.

Officials with the district were informed this week by the state department of education that NCPS is no longer considered low performing, a position they have been in for the past 10 years.

“Over the past several years, our schools have worked hard to raise academic standards,” NCPS shared in a press release sent on Thursday of this week. “This achievement shows the dedication and hard work of our students, teachers, staff, and the community. We believe strongly in our motto, “Better Together,” which has guided us through the past two years.”

Every school in the district has either met or exceeded growth expectations, according to the latest numbers recently released by the stare. NCPS officials said they have focused on strengthening K-2 instruction, providing LETRS training for teachers, and building a strong foundation for its students. They have also worked hard to recruit and keep highly qualified teachers, which has helped bring stability to the county’s public schools.

That work included using the Gradual Release Model to improve lesson planning and ensure teaching is based on academic standards. NCPS focused on using data to make decisions, improving Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), and providing more training for teachers. The district also continue to improve communication and structure to help their teachers and education leaders succeed.

Those efforts, they say, are making a real difference, as shown by a growing graduation rate, which has increased by 1.8 percentage points from 2020 to 2024.

“This shows our commitment to helping students succeed, both in school and in life,” the press release stated.

Other highlights from the district include:

Central Elementary School has improved from a D to a C rating, showing significant progress and the impact of district-wide efforts.

Growth achievement: 100 percent of the schools met or exceeded growth expectations this year, with Conway Middle School, Gaston STEM Leadership Academy, and Northampton County Early College all exceeding growth while Central Elementary and Northampton County High School met growth targets.

All middle schools in the district exceeded growth expectations in both Reading and Math, showing strong progress in these key subjects.

“Our journey toward academic excellence is a testament to our unwavering dedication and collective effort,” said NCPS Superintendent Dr. Rosa Atkins. “As we continue to strive for greatness, we remind ourselves that true success comes from our commitment to ‘going for the gold’—not just in meeting expectations, but in exceeding them. Our students and community deserve nothing less than our very best, and together, we are achieving extraordinary milestones.

“We also want to thank our Board of Education and the entire community for their ongoing support,” Dr. Atkins added. “Their dedication has been key to reaching this goal, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.

As we celebrate, we remain focused on maintaining and growing our success. Northampton County Schools is committed to ensuring that our students and community continue to benefit from excellent education.”