Two Fauquier County schools have been selected as recipients of the 2023-2024 Highest Achievement Award by the Virginia Board of Education.

The Virginia Board of Education recently announced Kettle Run High School and P.B. Smith Elementary School are among the 37 schools honored with the 2023-2024 Highest Achievement Award, recognizing outstanding academic performance.

"We are incredibly proud of Kettle Run High School and P.B. Smith Elementary School for this remarkable achievement," said Dr. Meaghan Brill, Deputy Superintendent of Fauquier County Public Schools. "This recognition is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our educators, students, staff and administrators."

These accolades come as part of the Virginia Board of Education’s Exemplar Performance School Recognition Program, which celebrates schools that demonstrate exceptional achievement and dedication to student success.

“Receiving this award is an honor for P.B. Smith Elementary School,” remarked Linda Smith, Principal of P.B. Smith Elementary School. “Our entire school community took part in making this possible."

"Our teachers' dedication to student success is unparalleled,” added Mark Malloy, Principal of Kettle Run High School. “When high expectations are set and our schools achieve them, they deserve to be celebrated."

To qualify for this recognition, schools must meet criteria set by the Virginia Board of Education, including:

Meeting State Benchmark Standards: Schools must achieve state benchmarks in reading, math, and science, with a benchmark of 75% for reading and 70% for math and science, based on the current year pass rate on state assessments.

Ensuring Achievement for All Groups: All student groups within the school must meet state benchmarks in reading and math, with a benchmark of 75% for reading and 70% for math, based on the current year pass rate on state assessments. In schools with two student groups, the performance gap between the lowest performing group and all other students must not exceed five percentage points. For schools with three or more student groups, this gap must not exceed ten percentage points.

Maintaining Low Chronic Absenteeism: Schools must demonstrate a chronic absenteeism rate of 15% or lower for the current year.

The Virginia Board of Education’s Highest Achievement Award reaffirms Kettle Run High School and P.B. Smith Elementary School’s position as leaders in education within the Fauquier County community and beyond.

The full list of Virginia schools selected for the Virginia Board of Education’s Exemplar Performance School Recognition Program is available online.