LANCASTER—The Virginia Department of Education recently released the latest School Performance Support Framework (SPSF) numbers which show Lancaster schools improving in nearly all performance measures. Results for the 2025-26 school year have been added to the School Quality Profile which includes accreditation and data on assessments, enrollment and per pupil spending, student behavior, teacher quality, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) reporting and early learning.
This is the second year for the updated School Quality Profiles which evaluate schools on two criteria—accreditation and accountability. Accreditation, be it full, conditional or denied, is based on compliance to 10 standards of accreditation and is separate from student achievement. The standards include—fair promotion and retention policies, teaching to the Standards of Learning, having qualified staff in teaching and leadership positions, notifying parents of student requirements and the regular update of a long-range comprehensive plan.
Both Lancaster Elementary School (LES) and Lancaster High School (LHS) received full accreditation.
Accountability tracks student achievement beyond test scores. Schools are graded using a weighted framework based on mastery, test scores and English language proficiency; growth, comparing expected learning to actual learning at end of year; readiness, absenteeism, advanced coursework and/or enrollment/employment/enlistment readiness; and graduation. The weights and criteria change from elementary to middle and high school. Based on these weights, schools receive a score that falls into one of four performance categories—distinguished, 90-100 points; meets expectations, 80-89; approaching expectations, 65-79; or needs intensive support, below 65.
Lancaster Elementary School
Elementary school framework scores are based 65% on mastery, 25% on growth and 10% on readiness—chronic absenteeism of 10% or less. Middle school framework scores are based 60% on mastery, 20% on growth and 20% on readiness—chronic absenteeism and advanced coursework. LES received a blended score based on both elementary and middle school frameworks because it included Grade 7 last year.
LES received an overall performance score of 81.58 compared to 76.8 last year, mostly due to reading and math growth. This year, LES received 26.74 of 35 points in growth compared to 21.9 last year, and showed growth for all student groups—black, white, economically disadvantaged and students with disabilities.
“We are a very proud of the progress at LES,” said superintendent Jessica Davis. “LES earned the points to increase a performance category from last year and are required to meet the ‘meets expectations’ benchmark. However, under the framework, a federal identification for a subgroup automatically lowers the school’s overall designation by one category. Because LES received a federal identification for the subcategory ‘students with disabilities,’ its final designation is ‘approaching expectations.’
“While we recognize that there is still work to do, student growth is and always will be our focus at LCPS, and there is much to celebrate. Our students with disabilities at LES demonstrated significant progress, including a 30% increase in growth for reading and a 3% increase in growth for math, while chronic absenteeism among these students improved by more than 10%. Those numbers represent real students making real progress, and we are incredibly proud of them and the staff who support them every day.”
After seeing improvement in pass rates for reading last school year, LES pass rates in reading dropped to 60% compared to 64% last year and a state-wide pass rate of 74%. Math scores remained relatively flat, with a 56% pass rate compared to 55% last year and the state-wide pass rate of 73%, which was up one point over the previous year. Science pass rates were down 10 points over last year, wiping out last year’s improvements. They are now 39% versus the state-wide pass rate of 71%.
LES continues to chip away at chronic absenteeism, which is missing more than 10% of the school year or 18 days. Approximately 15.11% of LES students were chronically absent in the 2025-26 school year. This compares to 16.57% the previous year.
Lancaster High School
High school scores are based 50% on mastery; 35% on readiness, chronic absenteeism, graduation rate and 3E readiness; and 15% on graduation rate. Middle school framework scores are based 60% on mastery; 20% on growth; and 20% on readiness, chronic absenteeism and advanced coursework. LHS receives a blended score based on both middle school and high school frameworks because it included Grade 8 last year.
LHS scored 90.47 points of a possible 100 compared to 81.9 last year, placing the school in the distinguished performance category.
“This accurately reflects the capabilities and performance of our amazing students and the tremendous work of our staff,” said Davis. “This achievement truly comes from every corner of our schools. It starts with families making attendance a priority and includes the people who safely transport our students, provide healthy meals, deliver quality instruction, create opportunities for postsecondary success, and support our students in countless ways every day. This designation belongs to all of us—our students, staff, families and community. I could not be more proud of our students and staff in Lancaster County. We now have a title that reflects the work we have been doing all along.”
Much of the score improvement was seen growth and readiness. LHS received 17.81 out of 20 points in reading and math growth compared to 13.6 last year, with significant improvement in scores for all student groups—black, white, economically disadvantaged—especially in math. Black students math scores were up 41.97%, while white students scores were up 19.66% and economically disadvantaged students were up 33.05%.
LHS received 27.67 points out of a possible 30 in readiness, up from 23.5 last year. While chronic absenteeism declined slightly—from 23.98% to 23.23%—there was considerable improvement in 3E readiness, which is preparing students post-high school for enrollment, employment or enlistment. The overall 3E readiness indicator rose from 65.06% to 94.79%.
For the 2025-26 school year, LHS pass rates were up in all subjects. In reading, they were up one point over the previous year to 72%, continuing to close the gap on the state-wide pass rate of 74%. Math scores improved by 8 points from last year to 69% compared to the state-wide pass rate of 73%. Science rose 11 points to 72%, beating the state-wide pass rate of 71% and history rose four points to 53% compared to the state-wide pass rate of 70%.
“If you see an LCPS student or staff member, take a moment to tell them, ‘Good job. We’re proud of you and the work you do.’ They have earned it!” Davis said.
