Metro Nashville and Hamilton County school districts celebrate student growth
Metro Nashville Public Schools has attained the state’s highest level of student growth for the third year in a row.
According to a news release emailed to the Tennessee Firefly, the district’s “threepeat” of receiving a Tennessee Value Added Assessment System (TVAAS) Level 5 score, marks the first time in history MNPS has reached this level of consistent growth. The Level 5 designation demonstrates the state’s highest rating for student progress across a range of subjects, from literacy and math to science. The announcement said the district’s recent success comes from several strategic initiatives at MNPS, such as the adoption of high-quality curricula, targeted support programs like high-impact tutoring, and investments in professional development.
"This achievement speaks volumes about our district’s commitment to rigorous, high-quality education," Dr. Adrienne Battle, superintendent of Nashville Public Schools, said in a statement. "Reaching a Level 5 growth score three years in a row is a testament to the hard work and talent of our students, the dedication of our educators, and the strong support from our community and partners. Our goal is to ensure every student receives the resources, support, and high-quality instruction they need to succeed – and this recognition confirms we are moving in the right direction.”
The announcement noted that the milestone comes after the state released data showing that MNPS achieved its highest graduation rate to date, with a 4.5 percent year-over-year growth from 2023 to 2024. Earlier this year, the district also celebrated state testing data showing that student achievement outpaced the state average in growth in all four tested categories.
"We know our work is far from over, but we are energized by these results. This achievement inspires us to continue striving for excellence, with the ultimate goal of continued academic success,” Battle said.
In Hamilton County Schools, officials noted that their district has achieved a Level 3 growth score. According to an announcement on Thursday from the district, the achievement shows that HCS students “maintained growth levels comparable to their peers across Tennessee, demonstrating steady progress and alignment with state standards for student growth.”
The announcement said the district also achieved Level 5 scores this year in literacy and career and technical education (CTE), highlighting the “effectiveness of targeted focus in these areas” in recent years. In addition, the announcement said, 27 Hamilton County schools earned Level 4 or 5 distinctions.
"This steady growth reflects the hard work of our teachers, the dedication of our students, and the support of our entire Hamilton County Schools community," said Dr. Justin Robertson, Superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. "Our growth data, paired with our achievement results, help us understand the learning happening in our schools. Through evaluation of both data sets, we are committed to continuous improvement and ensuring every student has the support they need to succeed."
