Chapel Hill-Carrboro City schools excel in latest performance data

SCHOOLS; COMMUNITY NEWS

By Nina Sumner
Guest Correspondent

Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) score highly in key academic areas in the 2023-24 school performance data, which was recently approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education and released by the Department of Public Instruction. Specifically, CHCCS boasts a high on-time graduation rate of 93.9%, which far surpasses the state’s average rate of 86.9%. A 69.8% pass rate on all state exams was recorded — the highest rate in the entirety of North Carolina. This impressive achievement reflects the commitment of CHCCS to support student success; however, to further enhance educational outcomes, Chapel Hill-Carrboro parents are also encouraged to consider private tuition as a valuable supplement to school education, as it can effectively bridge learning gaps among individual students and improve overall academic performance.

73.7% CHCCS schools earned A or B performance grades

Fourteen CHCCS schools earned either A or B grades as determined by the performance grade system that’s part of the Every Student Succeeds Act. This is an impressive increase from just over 66% of CHCCS schools in 2022-23. Specifically, A grades accounted for 15.8% of the school performance grades, whereas 57.9% of the grades were B’s. In comparison, 27.8% of schools in wider North Carolina earned A or B grades in 2023-24, up from 26.7% in 2022-23. Notably, zero CHCCS schools achieved D or F grades, versus 33.5% of NC schools.

Additionally, CHCCS students with disabilities and students from low-income backgrounds “exceeded growth expectations”. They also outperformed their NC peers. The data also shows that CHCCS numbers of Black students who achieved grade-level proficiency on the High School End-of-Course exams increased by 3% — which is better than rates pre-2020.

Private tuition can bridge learning gaps

For Chapel Hill-Carrboro parents who want to help their child improve their grades and get more out of their education, private tuition can be a great supplement to regular schooling. When a student works one-on-one with a private tutor, sessions can be carefully designed to meet their unique needs and bridge learning gaps. That means particular focus is placed on the specific areas students need help with, and enough time is given for them to progress at their own pace.

Private tuition is most effective when it’s provided consistently. A minimum of three thirty-minute sessions a week is ideal. When done right, private tuition can have a real positive impact on academic outcomes. “A large body of rigorous research shows that tutoring can help students who are behind catch up by as much as half a school year to a full school year”, the Conversation reports. Before Chapel Hill-Carrboro parents hire a private tutor, it’s important to first check each candidate’s qualifications and past experience. That means parents must always ask to see proof of qualifications and previous teaching experience to be certain a tutor is the right fit for their child.

Key areas marked for improvement

The latest performance data also showed that 14 CHCCS schools either “exceeded or met growth expectations”, which is a decrease from 17 CHCCS schools the previous year. Plus, four schools also failed to meet growth projections. On top of that, the numbers of students who achieved “grade-level proficiency or greater” decreased compared to 2018-19 numbers — although they were largely in line with 2021-22 and 2022-23 results.

“As we move forward, we remain focused on growth to proficiency for every student”, said Dr. Nyah Hamlett, CHCCS Superintendent. “We also will keep our eyes on the goal of sustainable, measurable progress”. He also highlighted that the CHCCS’ 2027 Strategic Plan will help improve the district’s performance data, so it returns to and even surpasses pre-2020 levels. 

Overall, Chapel Hill-Carrboro students have done very well over the past academic year — with private tuition always an option to further support students on their academic journey and bridge learning gaps. Still, “it’s important to remember that state exams are just one measure of success”, Dr. Hamlett also stressed. “When we stay true to our core values — engagement, collective efficacy, social justice action, wellness, and joy — our students graduate with the skills and experiences they need to thrive on their life’s journey after they leave us.”

Nina C. Sumner is a freelance writer with a background in journalism and a knack for turning complex ideas into enjoyable reads. She’s constantly looking to broaden her reach and contribute to platforms in various niches. When she’s not working on her writing projects, she likes to explore seaside towns and enjoy the company of her family and friends. She can be reached at nina.sumner@mentmail.com.