Portsmouth Public Schools is fully accredited for the first time in 16 years, according to data released Wednesday, Oct. 7, by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The last time the school division was fully accredited was the 2009-2010 school year.

“Achieving full accreditation is a tremendous milestone for Portsmouth Public Schools and a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our students, staff and families,” said PPS Superintendent Dr. Elie Bracy, III. “This also demonstrates what is possible when we remain focused on student success and work together toward a shared vision for excellence.”

In order to be fully accredited by the state, the school division must report evidence that schools are meeting numerous requirements, including offering the courses students need to graduate, teaching required subjects, having qualified staff at all schools as well as addressing safety, building and communication needs.

In addition, schools must develop plans to improve student learning. Each school conducts a needs assessment to identify areas that need improvement and then develops a long-term plan to address those needs.

Following state evaluation, all 19 testing schools were designated fully accredited, without any conditions.

This news comes less than two months after the state’s summary report data that showed the division had at least 60 percent pass rates in all tested subject areas for the first time since the 2020 shutdown of schools due to the COVID pandemic.

Those results were also reflected in Wednesday’s release as part of the School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF). Of the division’s 19 testing schools, 14 scored over 80% in the state’s framework score category. This means the schools met the state’s expectation for growth, readiness and graduation. However, final designations from the state varied depending on individual school’s federal identifications.

“We have built strong momentum, and this achievement gives us a solid foundation for the work ahead,” Bracy said. “We are proud of how far we have come, but know there is still more to do. We are well positioned to build on this progress and see our students shine even brighter in the years ahead.”

To see the full results, visit doe.virginia.gov.