HickoryPublic Schools

PRESS RELEASE

Students’ Academic Growth

Shows Promise at HPS

HICKORY…The NC State Board of Education has released the READY accountability results including the list of low-performing schools and districts across North Carolina. These scores reflect the third year of the READY accountability model with its strong focus on career and college readiness and high standards.

 
​While some supporters of the READY accountability tests believe that letter grades provide transparency to the public, others believe the relatively-new, revised standards tests do not fairly weigh school progress and growth. Student proficiency accounts for 80 percent of the letter grade while student growth only accounts for 20 percent.

At Hickory Public Schools, the district’s nine schools did not fare well in the state’s 15-point grading formula.  Oakwood Elementary received a B; Jenkins Elementary, Northview Middle, and Hickory High all received a C; and Longview Elementary, Southwest Elementary, Viewmont Elementary, Grandview Middle, and Hickory Career and Arts Magnet High (HCAM) all received a D.

The school performance letter grades do not tell the true stories of student success as growth has occurred for numerous students at each of the district’s nine schools. If it’s transparency that the public seeks, then a closer examination of what actually happens behind the four walls of a classroom trumpets volumes of success.

• Hickory Public Schools is a diverse school district with approximately 50 percent of the enrollment representing Caucasian students and 50 percent of the student enrollment representing African American, Hispanic, Asian and other.  In fact, nearly 30 different languages are spoken by families with children who attend Hickory Public Schools.
• The graduation rate for Hickory Public Schools has held steady with 83.9 percent. This represents an increase of 13.6 percentage points from the 2006 graduation rate of 70.4 percent.
• Graduating seniors from Hickory Public Schools have earned more than $15 million in collective scholarships over the past three years. HPS graduates continue to experience success in competitive colleges and universities, the military and the workforce.
• The dropout rates have been the lowest in the district’s history with 2.84 percent, dropping 10 percent from the previous year.
• Technology has expanded at every school with multiple devices available for teacher and student use. Curriculum and lessons frequently incorporate technology.
• Art, band, orchestra and chorus continue to be recognized with superior ratings—while athletic teams have won conferences and state titles.
• High school students are offered balanced academic opportunities to enhance their path to career and college readiness—including classes in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Advanced Placement (AP) and career academies that provide college credit.
• And Hickory Public Schools has frequently been recognized on a national level for excellent achievements representative of the faculty, staff and most importantly, the students.  Last spring, for example, Northview Middle School was recognized as a National School to Watch, designating the school as a high-performing school with middle grades providing academic excellence to all students. Such schools create small learning communities in which mutually respectful relationships support all students’ intellectual, ethical and social growth.  

According to Sallie Johnson, member of the HPS Board of Education and a former HPS parent and retired teacher at Hickory High, the method the state uses to grade districts is a flawed system. “Our Hickory Public Schools are getting better and better each year, and we have the data to back that up! I continue to be amazed at the dedication and hard work of our teachers, administrators, and staff whose common goal is to provide an excellent education for each and every student,” she said. “The term underachieving is not an accurate description of Hickory Public Schools!”

“We recognize that Hickory Public Schools is not where we want the district to be – as there is always room to grow,” said Dr. Robbie Adell, HPS superintendent.

“HPS employs teachers, administrators and staff who are putting their heart and soul into moving forward. We are immersed in data—analyzing with a laser focus on the academic needs of every child enrolled in our district. There is a sense of urgency as we take a new direction to redefine and reorganize the focus of Hickory Public Schools; but at the same time, our focus is methodical and data-driven. While we may have been named an ‘under-achieving school district’ in North Carolina, we are invested in developing an action plan that supports our teachers as they personalize education for all students.

“It seems unfair for our students to be labeled as under-achievers based on a day or two of tests. However, we are not a district to make excuses. Therefore, we are re-examining our curriculum and accountability data, setting the course so all students will have access to challenging courses and opportunities--ultimately to strengthen their readiness for college and career,” said Adell.

“Faculty members at every school are working smarter and putting strategies in place.  The data drives our decisions. And we must always ask: ‘Are the lessons rigorous? Are we integrating technology? Are we individualizing instruction?’ The entire HPS team is working to strengthen school improvement plans designed to enhance student achievement,” said Adell.

“Hickory Public Schools is an extraordinary school district that offers a great environment for people to explore different future career paths,” said Hickory High Student Body President, Katie Herfurth. “I have appreciated the variety of opportunities HPS has to offer.”  Herfurth began her HPS educational journey in kindergarten and plans to graduate in June of 2016. She hopes to attend UNC-Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University –studying nutrition science.

“Hickory approaches academic diversity by providing different class rigor including AP, IB, and Honors courses. The staff and administration at all of our schools not only care about providing a quality education, but also about the students themselves. At Hickory High, Mr. McCreary, principal, has taken special measures to get input from everybody to make sure students realize the staff truly cares about us,” said Herfurth.

“HPS respects the fact that some students excel in extracurricular activities such as Hickory's reputable athletics, arts, and community service projects. Attend any home football or basketball game and one can see the overwhelming school spirit at Hickory,” said Herfurth. “There's a reason for this awesome pride at Hickory Public Schools.” 

Amy Monroe, a product of Hickory Public Schools, an HPS parent and member of the HPS Board of Education wants to encourage other parents and members of the community to focus on all that Hickory Public Schools has to offer children:  “Our schools offer an excellent, well-rounded education,” she said.  “In our elementary schools, the children participate in art, physical education, music, guidance and library along with opportunities in Academically and Intellectually Gifted programs, Science Olympiad and various clubs.  In middle school, we have outstanding chorus, band, orchestra and art programs, life skills, Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, advanced classes, athletics, and various clubs,” added Monroe. 

“In high school, there are even more opportunities for rigor, relevance and fun.  Fabulous arts and athletic programs, a variety of clubs, honors classes, AP and IB tracks, and several career and technical academies. And did I mention school spirit?” said Monroe. “The principals and staff at our schools are some of the best and most passionate in the state. I am very proud of all that our schools are able to provide to the children in our community.  I always return from state and national school board conferences, able to share that what HPS offers, collectively, is good as or better than any other district.