The Virginia Board of Education has presented Roanoke County Public Schools the “District Distinguished Achievement Award” for 2017, recognizing the system as “one of Virginia’s top academic performing schools.”
The award was earned by 15 divisions and 231 schools that met all state and federal benchmarks and made progress toward the goals of the governor and the board.
One of those schools was Bonsack Elementary. Principal Melissa Jones accepted the award for her school at the School Board meeting on August 24.
“School success is based on student success and each of these awards highlights a school or school division where young Virginians are being well prepared for the challenges ahead,” Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Steven R. Staples said.
According to the Board of Education, the Virginia Index of Performance program recognizes schools and school divisions for the achievement of excellence goals established by the governor and Board of Education and provides incentives for continuous improvement. Schools and school divisions can earn one of the following three awards based on performance during the previous academic year:
- Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence
- Board of Education’s Excellence Award
- Board of Education’s Distinguished Achievement Award
Only schools and school divisions that have met all state and federal accountability requirements for two consecutive years, and have not experienced significant irregularities in the administration of state assessments, are eligible to earn VIP awards.