Heather Bell
RADFORD – All four Radford City Public Schools have achieved full accreditation by the Virginia Department of Education.
Full accreditation means the average of Standards of Learning scores in grades 3-12 for all math, science, civics, history and English SOLs have met the benchmark scores set forth by the VDOE.
“At RCPS, for the 2023-2024 school year, our students’ performance was at or above the accreditation standards in all areas,” said RCPS Superintendent Dr. Adam Joyce. “The accreditation process also includes a component for our Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes. This includes industry credentialing testing, dual-enrollment classes as well as Advanced Placement courses.”
Joyce said attendance is also considered for accreditation.
“A final category by which we are accredited is school attendance,” he said. “It is very important that students miss as few days as possible during the school year. In-person classroom learning cannot be replaced or replicated after a student is absent and returns. Research supports the fact that fewer days missed in school equates to exponentially more learning. RCPS has renewed its focus on attendance, and we appreciate all families making an effort to have their children in school on time each day.”
Joyce credits the school division’s faculty and staff for achieving full accreditation.
“Our greatest asset is our human resources—the faculty and staff at each school,” he said. “For a child to learn effectively, they must first feel welcomed and valued by their teacher. Positive teacher-student relationships are essential for high engagement and achievement. RCPS takes pride in the meaningful and lasting connections our teachers build with their students each year.”
“Similarly, RCPS holds its staff to high standards, much like the expectations teachers set for their students,” he added. “Our talented leaders, teachers, and staff consistently set, achieve, and surpass high goals to ensure that students are well-prepared for the next grade or the next stage in their lives.”
Joyce said he feels helping students have a well-rounded childhood and school experience also contributes to the success of the school division.
“While teaching and learning are at the core of what we do as public educators, it is certainly not all we do,” he said. “Besides learning, each family knows that there is more involved in a well-rounded childhood. It includes making friends, participating in after school activities and clubs and learning a skill or trade or gaining valuable knowledge that will help build a career path.”
“That said, being accredited is often how our community measures how successful we are,” he continued. “We continuously strive to do our best in all facets of education so we appreciate being recognized for being fully accredited for student achievement in learning the content standards.”
“There is always room to grow,” Joyce said. “By building and nurturing positive student/teacher relationships, RCPS aims to increase student achievement each year.”
Joyce said the families of RCPS students and the community as a whole, also deserve credit for the success.
“We are extremely thankful for the support from our families and community. Without the underpinning provided by the members of this city, education is not nearly as effective or meaningful,” he said. “Our stakeholders realize how vitally important a good education is for the future of our children as well as the future of our city.”
