EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES — K–12

At every stage of the lifetime learning experience, there are institutions of excellence in Newport News to serve your educational needs and those of your family and your employees.

The Newport News Public School System (NNPS) is innovative and effective in providing its students with a well rounded, high quality education. NNPS educates approximately 31,350 children in 5 early childhood centers, 26 elementary schools, 9 middle schools and 5 high schools. From increasing enrollment in honors and Advanced Placement classes to Career Pathways internships and college dual-enrollment, Newport News Public Schools is committed to ensuring that all students graduate with the necessary knowledge and skills to be college-, career-, and citizenship-ready.

Division Highlights:

• Thirty–four schools (87 percent) are fully accredited by the state, an increase from 20 schools (49 percent) in 2003.
• Since 2003, the number of schools meeting federally mandated Annual Yearly Progress benchmarks has increased from 12 to 36.
• All 26 elementary schools met or exceeded the 73 percent pass rate on the 2006–2007 reading and writing Standards of Learning tests, and 19 schools exceeded 80 percent.
• Standards of Learning pass rates rose 7 percent for English and 5 percent for science over the past three years for all students, kindergarten through grade 12.
• The achievement gap narrowed between African–American and white students on all Standards of Learning tests in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades, and on 9 of 11 end–of–course tests.
• Students enrolled in Advanced Placement classes increased by 35 percent since 2003. Last school year, 3,300 tests were administered, and 37 percent of students qualified for college credit.
• Two hundred and thirty–nine students are named 2006 Advanced Placement Scholars, Scholars with Honor, or Scholars with Distinction.
• The 2006 graduation rate is 88 percent — 9 percent above the state average.
• The 2007 graduating class earned more than $16.3 million in scholarships and awards.
• Ninety–three percent of NNPS teachers are designated as highly qualified by federal No Child Left Behind standards.
• Discipline referrals have dropped by more than 30 percent since 2005.
• All five high schools are recognized by Newsweek magazine as among the top schools in America.
• Denbigh High School was one of only three schools in the nation to receive the 2007 College Board Inspiration Award for helping all students achieve equitable access to higher education.
• The school division is one of the “100 Best Communities for Music” according to a national survey of leading music and educational organizations.
• 2006 for the second year in a row, Newport News Schools received the national “What Parents Want” award from SchoolMatch.
• Newport News Schools were named one of 20 “Tech Savvy” school divisions by Scholastic Administrator magazine.
• Educators and staff members from Newport News Public Schools have earned numerous awards for excellence: Virginia Library Media Specialist of the Year; Virginia Art Education Supervisor of the Year; Virginia Educational Interpreter of the Year; Air Force Junior ROTC’s Outstanding Instructor; National Outstanding Dance Teacher of the Year, and 36 teachers have been certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
• NNPS has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association of Achievement of Excellence in Financial Reporting for five consecutive years.