Our school division has been officially designated “Fully Accredited” under the Virginia Department of Education’s accountability and accreditation framework based on student achievement data from the 2024–2025 school year. Under the new accreditation framework, Lakeland High School and Nansemond River High School both earned the prestigious designation of “Distinguished” after achieving more than 90 points on the state’s performance scale. This recognition represents the highest level of achievement within the new accountability system.

This division-wide designation reflects the collective efforts and partnership between students, educators, families, and the broader Suffolk community, and highlights continued progress in academic performance across the district.

The following schools achieved 80 points or higher and were designated “On Track,” indicating they are meeting state expectations under the new framework:

• Creekside Elementary School
• Florence Bowser Elementary School
• Nansemond Parkway Elementary School
• Northern Shores Elementary School
• Oakland Elementary School
• Southwestern Elementary School
• Col. Fred Cherry Middle School
• Forest Glen Middle School
• John F. Kennedy Middle School
• John Yeates Middle School
• King’s Fork Middle School
• King’s Fork High School

Booker T. Washington Elementary School (78) and Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School (76) received an “Off Track” designation after falling below the 80-point threshold required to be considered on track. In addition, Elephants Fork Elementary School, Hillpoint Elementary School, and Kilby Shores Elementary School were identified as Targeted Support & Improvement (TSI) schools for not meeting the 80-point benchmark and for having one student subgroup—Students with Disabilities—perform below state-identified standards. As a result, these three schools (EFES, HES & KSES) will receive the classification of “Needs Intensive Support,” activating additional resources and targeted interventions to improve student outcomes.

“We are extremely thankful for the work of our staff and students for achieving the status of fully accredited based on student achievement data from the 2024–2025 school year,” said Division Superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III. “We are also pleased that both Lakeland High School and Nansemond River High School earned the highest honor of being Distinguished Schools under the new accreditation and accountability system. While we acknowledge that we still have some work to do in order to get all of our schools on track, I am confident in the abilities and innovation of our staff in supporting all of our students.”

We will continue to work closely with families, teachers, and school leaders to strengthen instruction, expand student support services, and ensure every school continues moving forward under the new accountability framework.