Southside school divisions highlight SOL score improvements

PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) - The Virginia Department of Education has released 2025-26 Standards of Learning test results for all school divisions. Fifty-three Virginia school divisions saw increases in both reading and math scores, including Danville, which improved 3 points. Other Southside divisions also reported gains.

Pittsylvania County scores above state average

Pittsylvania County Schools scored above the state average in reading, math, science and history, ranking in the top 13% in reading, top 14% in math, top 12% in science and top 25% in history among the state’s 132 school divisions.

Superintendent Steve Mayhew said involving parents is key to student success.

“We all want to work with the parents, too, because the parents are the first teachers,” Mayhew said. “So working together as a community is what makes a difference. And I think that’s what makes a difference between the county. It’s about the people working together to support the students.”

Martinsville reports five-year gains outpacing state

Martinsville City Public Schools division-wide pass rates have climbed 11 percentage points in reading and 35 points in math since 2020-21, outpacing the state’s five-year gains of 5 points in reading and 19 points in math over the same period. The division saw growth in math and science scores this year and used a strategy of individualized instruction based on student data.

Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley said the division matches students with instruction based on their skill sets.

“We’re seeing a lot of individualized teaching,” Talley said. “Young people being pulled into groups. Young people being pulled aside and matching the data, because we’re data-driven, to their skill set. And it takes a lot of time, but it’s okay because the rewards are wonderful. When you match students with their individual strengths and weaknesses, as you can see, you come out with some great results.”

During the 2025-26 school year, Martinsville City Public Schools celebrated its ninth consecutive year of accreditation. Martinsville High School was rated “Distinguished” and Martinsville Middle School was rated “On Track” under the state’s School Performance and Support Framework.

Danville improves reading and math, named state exemplar

Danville Public Schools reading pass rates improved to 61% from 43% in 2020-21, and math pass rates increased to 59% from 30%. Olivia McCraw, the district’s assessment and state reporting director, said the gains stem from instructional materials, tutoring and attendance efforts.

“That is due to our implementation of high quality instructional materials, high dosage and high impact tutoring,” McCraw said. “Our focus on attendance and getting kids in school every day. And then really just the support of our families, teachers and leaders.”

The Virginia Department of Education named Danville one of 10 exemplar divisions achieving at least a five-point gain in math and one of nine divisions achieving at least a three-point gain in both reading and math. The division’s chronic absenteeism rate improved to 9.4% from 35.6% in 2020-21.