Henry County Public Schools was one of nine Virginia school divisions to show gains of at least three percentage points in both reading and mathematics on the 2025-26 Standards of Learning assessments, according to results released Tuesday by the Virginia Department of Education.
The initial results reflect continued academic progress across the division, according to HCPS.
“This is an accomplishment worth celebrating,” Superintendent Amy Blake-Lewis said. “To be one of only nine divisions in Virginia demonstrating this level of improvement in both reading and mathematics speaks to the tremendous work happening in our classrooms.”
Blake-Lewis credited teachers, school leaders and students for the improvement.
“Our teachers and school leaders have remained focused on improving instruction, responding to student needs, and ensuring that our students continue to grow,” she said. “Most importantly, our students have risen to the challenge, and I am incredibly proud of them.”
The division attributed the gains in part to its RISE 2030 strategic plan, which provides a framework for instructional improvement, supportive learning environments, personnel development and family and community partnerships.
Blake-Lewis said the results reflect the efforts of the entire school division.
“Our teachers are doing the critical work every day in classrooms, supported by principals, instructional staff, support personnel, families, our School Board, and community partners,” she said.
The superintendent also said the SOL results are only one measure of school performance.
The Virginia Department of Education is expected to release additional data and final determinations through the state’s School Performance and Support Framework and federal accountability requirements.
“We are excited about what these initial results tell us, but our work continues,” Blake-Lewis said. “We will celebrate this progress, examine where students still need additional support, and continue challenging ourselves to do better.”
The school system will provide additional information as the remaining accountability data are released by VDOE.
