Celebrating Growth: 2025-2026
91% of schools met or exceeded growth, and the percentage of schools earning a C or higher is at its highest level in district history!
Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) is celebrating continued academic progress following the release of the 2025-26 North Carolina School Performance Grades and accountability results.
According to the state’s accountability report, 20 NCPS schools met or exceeded expected academic growth, representing approximately 91% of schools measured for growth. Of those schools, thirteen exceeded growth expectations, and seven met expected growth.
The district also reached a new milestone, with 78% of schools earning a School Performance Grade of C or higher, the highest percentage in Nash County Public Schools history. This represents continued improvement from the 2024-25 school year, when 74% of schools earned a C or higher.
Additionally, seven NCPS schools earned an A or B School Performance Grade.
“We are encouraged by the progress reflected in these results, especially the number of schools meeting and exceeding growth expectations,” said Superintendent Dr. Steve Ellis. “This progress is the result of intentional work by our educators, students, and families. We will continue building on what is working, providing targeted support where it is needed and keeping our focus on helping every student grow and succeed.”
“These results demonstrate the impact of the hard work and commitment of our teachers, school leaders, students, and families,” said Melissa Dancy-Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services and Accountability for Nash County Public Schools. “We celebrate the unwavering belief that all of NCPS’ educators have in every student. Their efforts continue to create opportunities for success and move our district forward.”
The district’s performance reflects steady gains supported by a continued focus on high-quality instruction, data-driven academic supports, teacher leadership, and family engagement.
NCPS continues to expand strategies designed to meet the needs of all learners. A major area of focus is the district’s Advanced Teaching Roles (ATR) initiative, which expands the number of multi-classroom leaders serving schools and provides additional instructional coaching and leadership within classrooms. The initiative extends the reach of highly effective teachers while providing participating educators with additional leadership opportunities and increased compensation.
Nash County Public Schools will continue reviewing accountability data at the district and school levels to identify areas of strength, address opportunities for improvement, and build upon the academic progress demonstrated during the 2025-26 school year.
2025-26 School Performance Grades and Growth
- Benvenue Elementary School: C | Exceeded Growth
- CITI High School: B | Exceeded Growth
- Coopers Elementary School: B | Exceeded Growth
- Englewood Elementary School: C | Exceeded Growth
- G.R. Edwards Elementary School: D | Exceeded Growth
- M.B. Hubbard Elementary School: C | Met Growth
- Middlesex Elementary School: C | Met Growth
- Nash Central High School: B | Exceeded Growth
- Nash Central Middle School: C | Exceeded Growth
- Nashville Elementary School: B | Exceeded Growth
- Northern Nash High School: C | Met Growth
- Nash Early College High School: A | Exceeded Growth
- Red Oak Elementary School: B | Exceeded Growth
- Red Oak Middle School: C | Exceeded Growth
- Rocky Mount Middle School: D | Met Growth
- Southern Nash High School: B | Exceeded Growth
- Southern Nash Middle School: C | Exceeded Growth
- Spring Hope Elementary School: C | Met Growth
- Winstead Avenue Elementary School: C | Met Growth