RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) has released its first set of results under a new accountability system, aimed at measuring how well students are learning and progressing academically. The School Performance and Support Framework (SPSF) places each public school into one of four categories based on achievement, growth, graduation and overall readiness. With the new system, schools are placed in of the four performance categories: Distinguished: Exceeds expectations On Track: Meets expectations  Off Track: Does not meet expectations and receives extra state support  Needs Intensive Support: Significantly below expectations and receives the strongest support from the state Officials say the shift is designed to offer a clearer picture of student performance, not just school compliance through the accreditation system. With this change schools can be fully accredited yet still receive a low performance rating. “We’ve used it for so long and so people think my school’s fully accredited means that’s good,” said Mark Jennings, VDOE’s assistant superintendent. “You should be fully accredited, but we also want to look at the performance… how are your students doing?” Statewide, 66% of schools met or exceeded expectations during the 2024-25 school year, according to VDOE. Here in central Virginia, performance varied across the region’s 249 public schools: 19% were distinguished 35% were on track 27% were off track 17% need intensive support Richmond Public Schools Of Richmond's 42 public schools, 33% exceeded or met expectations, while 66% did not meet expectations or were significantly below. In response to the data, RPS issued a press release saying the accountability system shows the district where it needs to improve. "We welcome a higher bar and greater transparency, and we believe that overall, these ratings provide more transparency into not just how RPS schools are doing, but how schools across Metro Richmond and the Commonwealth are serving children. In return, though, we ask that the Commonwealth continue to match that higher bar with the funding reform necessary to fuel growth," according to an RPS press release. Hanover County Public Schools Of Hanover's 22 schools, 95% exceeded or met expectations, while 5% did not meet expectations or were significantly below. Hanover County had the highest percentage of schools in the region that are either distinguished or on track. “Hanover County Public Schools continues to be a leader in public education in Virginia and this information validates what we celebrate every day: the incredibly meaningful work of educating and inspiring our students with excellence, with passion, and with kindness,” said Dr. Lisa Pennycuff, Superintendent of Schools. “Our success lies not only in academics, but in the relationships built by our faculty and staff, the kindness they show, and the confidence they instill in every student who walks through our doors. In collaboration with our School Board, we remain committed to supporting our schools and providing the necessary resources for our students and staff to succeed, preparing them for lifelong success.” Chesterfield County Public Schools Of Chesterfield's 64 schools, 58% exceeded or met expectations, while 42% did not meet expectations or were significantly below. “Hard work and commitment by our students, teachers, staff members and partners are shown in the data released by the Virginia Department of Education,” said Dr. John Murray, superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools. “I’m proud of what we have accomplished so far and the successes we will achieve as we move forward. We will continue to set high expectations for our students, believing in their potential and challenging them to soar to new heights. Together, we will create a better tomorrow — not by chance, but by choice.” Henrico County Public Schools Of Henrico's 68 schools, 44% exceeded or met expectations, while 56% did not meet expectations or were significantly below. The district did not provide a statement in response to the data by the time of publication. According to VDOE, more than half of the schools needing intensive support in central Virginia are in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties. This means they scored significantly below expectations and will receive the strongest support from the state. Virginia Board of Education President Grace Turner Creasey says the redesigned system is about transparency and improvement. “It’s not just transparency for gotcha,” said Creasey. “It’s transparency for growth, transparency for continuous improvement… to ensure that every student is accounted for and gets everything he or she needs in their academic career.” VDOE said $31 million in federal and state funds are available to support schools identified as needing the most improvement. Click here to see how schools in central Virginia performed.  ...read more read less