Five Henrico schools lose ‘full’ accreditation status, two newly achieve it

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Five Henrico County schools have lost their "full" accreditation status and two different ones gained it in the wake of recent updates to the Virginia Department of Education's (VDOE) accreditation system. The VDOE released updated reports concerning accreditation rates across Central Virginia earlier this fall -- and school systems across the region are processing and learning from recent changes. PREVIOUS: Richmond Schools hits accreditation record right as VDOE raises the bar It's important to keep in mind that all Henrico County Public Schools remain accredited to some extent. Updated state statistics show 78% percent have the "full" status, while 22% considered accredited "with conditions." This essentially means that schools in the latter category don't meet state standards in every category. After falling in performance categories, those five Henrico County Public Schools lost full accreditation status this past year -- but the district is by no means losing hope. In part, that's because -- on the other side of the coin -- two schools jumped up to "full" accreditation status: Glen Lea Elementary School and Varina High School. At a Henrico County School Board meeting and work session on Oct, 10, leaders on varying levels within the school district discussed the changes. "What I'm hearing is that we are we are on track ... are we on track?" a school board member asked after hearing of some schools losing accreditation status. "Yes, we are," a county official answered. However, the county still wants to improve. When asked about their successes, leaders from the two schools that went from conditionally accredited to fully accredited cited things like a teacher fellows system and a holistic, "all-hands-on-deck" approach to community service and education. County officials noted that middle schools seem to be struggling the most. "Systemically, there is something larger that's going on here where it would be irresponsible to just point blame at specific buildings and saying, 'You're failing these kids,' when this is something that's happening everywhere to everyone, all around the country," one board member said. 8News previously reported that the VDOE's new framework projects about 60% of Virginia schools to be considered "off track." That's part of why the pivot in evaluation approach has stirred up controversy among local school leaders, as well as community members. School board members took time at the meeting to acknowledge their concerns with the VDOE's new accountability framework -- but county officials explained that the district is prepared for the various changes thrown their way. "They align seamlessly with the work we are already doing and place a focus on the critical need for strong systems and process," one official said in reference to the Virginia Office of School Quality's expectations. Henrico County Public Schools' Varina District Representative and Board Chair Alicia Atkins weighed in on the county's status. She also proposed a new idea. "It is certainly getting better, but an Educational Equity Audit will allow us to really identify root causes," Atkins said. "So that, when there are these changes that happen very frequently -- if we really understand the root of the problem, then we can solve half of the battle." Superintendent Amy Cashwell said that there will be plenty of work to do with the new school rating system, but that the new framework shouldn't significantly change things for students on an individual basis. Notably, the VDOE's new accountability framework doesn't go into effect until next year.