Oak Ridge High School and Willow Brook Elementary earned an “A” grade for the second year in a row, while all seven Oak Ridge Schools earned the highest possible score for their student achievement, according to the latest Tennessee Report Card. Department of Education on education within the state.
Additionally, Woodland Elementary increased their score from a “C” in 2023 to a “B” based on the most recent data released by the state education department.
“Grades are one of many tools we use to help identify where we can improve,” Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers said in a news release. “Analyzing the components of our letter grade helps us identify opportunities for improvement so we can make informed decisions when designing and delivering instruction to our students. It is normal to see fluctuations in letter grades from year to year as we adapt our instructional practices to meet the changing needs of our students, and we welcome the opportunity to use this data point among many others to continue to improve.
During spring testing, Oak Ridge Schools collectively performed more than 10 percentage points better than the state average. According to the city schools press release, student performance is weighed almost as much as student growth in calculating grades, which largely caused four schools in the district to receive grades lower than what they received in 2023. Both Robertsville and Jefferson high schools saw an increase in their students’ performance this year, but ultimately earned “C” letter grades due to a decline in their students’ growth scores.
“I am extremely proud of Oak Ridge High School and Willow Brook Elementary for receiving an A grade for the second year in a row,” Borchers said. “The staff and students in these buildings have worked incredibly hard to build a culture that centers student achievement, and this designation is a testament to that work. As with any assessment, we will use these letter grades as an opportunity to celebrate the good work happening in our schools and to identify areas where we can continue to improve and have a positive impact for our students. While our student achievement rates remain higher than state averages, we will continue to use data from our predictive assessments throughout the year to implement strategies focused on student growth and to diligently continue to do what is best for our students .”
Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers during a League of Women Voters meeting in early 2020.
Scores are calculated based on a school’s performance – determined by the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) test results, growth – determined by the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) test results, and in the case of the high school, college, and career readiness. Each of these areas is weighted to determine its contribution to the overall letter. Furthermore, growth is represented in two ways: growth achieved by the total student population, and growth25, the growth achieved by the lowest 25% of achieving students.
School letter grades are available here via a public dashboard. Additional information and resources about letter grades are available here.
Oak Ridge Preschool is not eligible for a school letter grade because they do not serve students in classes that participate in state assessments.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Report card: Oak Ridge High, Willow Brook gets another ‘A’
