FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2025
Chatham County Schools Celebrates Record-Breaking 2024-2025 Accountability Results
PITTSBORO, N.C. — Chatham County Schools is celebrating record-setting academic growth and achievement following the release of the 2025 North Carolina Accountability Data, which shows student success climbing statewide, and reaching historic highs in Chatham County.
HISTORIC GAINS ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina students posted a three-year high in standardized test performance for the 2024–2025 school year:
Scores increased in 12 of 15 End-of-Grade (EOG) and End-of-Course (EOC) assessments.
The average ACT composite score for 11th graders rebounded to 18.2.
The statewide graduation rate climbed to 87.7%, the highest in a decade.
Approximately 71% of schools met or exceeded growth, with fewer schools designated as low-performing.
State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green praised the results, calling them “a roadmap to build on the incredible hard work and diligence of students and educators across the state.”
CHATHAM COUNTY OUTPACES THE STATE
Serving just over 9,000 students across 19 schools, Chatham County Schools continues to set the standard for academic excellence across North Carolina:
100% of schools met or exceeded growth, compared to 71% statewide.
68.4% of schools exceeded growth, the highest percentage in district history.
Graduation rate reached 90.4%, well above the state average of 87.7%.
Every high school feeder pattern posted exceptional gains over the 2023–2024 school year, demonstrating that high-quality academic programming and instructional excellence are present in every corner of the district.
STANDOUT ACHIEVEMENTS
Chatham Early College: Earned an “A” School Performance Grade; met or exceeded growth for every reportable year, reinforcing its reputation for academic excellence and innovation.
Virginia Cross Elementary: Exceeded growth for the fifth consecutive year, demonstrating consistent, sustained high performance.
Chatham Middle School: Achieved a remarkable turnaround by improving its School Performance Grade by a full letter, removing its “low-performing” designation for the first time in seven years, and exceeding growth. CMS has the highest growth score in the district, making it one of the most dramatic academic turnarounds.
Siler City Elementary: Exceeded growth and improved its School Performance Grade by a full letter, thus removing its “low-performing” designation.
FEEDER PATTERN EXCELLENCE: ONE CHATHAM IN ACTION
These results reflect the districtwide impact of the ONE Chatham Strategic Plan, which emphasizes equity, access, and excellence for every student. The data clearly shows that ONE Chatham is Working for ALL Students.
Chatham Central High School Feeder Pattern (3 Exceeded Growth/ 1 Met Growth):
Chatham Central HS: B / Exceeded Growth
Bennett School: B / Exceeded Growth
J.S. Waters School: C / Exceeded Growth
Bonlee School: C / Met Growth
Northwood / Seaforth High School Feeder Pattern (5 Exceeded Growth, 4 Met Growth):
Northwood HS: B / Exceeded Growth
Seaforth HS: B / Met Growth
George Moses Horton MS: B / Exceeded Growth
Margaret B. Pollard MS: B / Met Growth
Moncure School: C / Met Growth
Pittsboro Elementary: B / Exceeded Growth
North Chatham Elementary: B / Exceeded Growth
Perry Harrison Elementary: B / Exceeded Growth
Chatham Grove Elementary: B / Met Growth
Jordan-Matthews High School Feeder Pattern (4 Exceeded Growth, 1 Met Growth):
Jordan-Matthews HS: C / Met Growth
Chatham MS: D / Exceeded Growth
Silk Hope School: C / Exceeded Growth
Siler City Elementary: C / Exceeded Growth
Virginia Cross Elementary: C / Exceeded Growth
Special Program
Chatham Early College: A / Exceeded Growth
CELEBRATIONS BY LEVEL
Elementary Schools
North Chatham, Perry Harrison, Siler City, and Virginia Cross, demonstrated exceptional growth in reading and math, with Virginia Cross leading the way with five consecutive years of exceeding growth.
Middle Schools
Two of our three middle schools, Chatham Middle and George Moses Horton, exceeded growth.
High Schools
All high schools met or exceeded growth.
Graduating seniors earned $33.5 million in total scholarships and 921 college acceptances.
Students earned 4,056 college credits earned through dual enrollment savings families over $600,000. 21 students earned Associate Degrees.
Students earned 5,395 industry credentials.
Special Programs
Chatham Early College earned an “A” SPG and exceeded growth for the fifth straight year.
ONE Academy continued to improve outcomes for students and achieved a 100% graduation rate, offering multiple pathways to ensure all Chatham County students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma.
PERFORMANCE BY GRADE SPAN
K-5 Performance: 5 Exceeded Growth, 2 Met Growth:
Chatham Grove Elementary: B / Met Growth
North Chatham Elementary: B / Exceeded Growth
Pittsboro Elementary: B / Exceeded Growth
Perry Harrison Elementary: B / Exceeded Growth
Siler City Elementary: C / Exceeded Growth
Virginia Cross Elementary: C / Exceeded Growth
K-8 Performance: 3 Exceeded Growth, 2 Met Growth:
Bennett School: B / Exceeded Growth
Bonlee School: C / Met Growth
J.S. Waters School: C / Exceeded Growth
Moncure School: C / Met Growth
Silk Hope School: C / Exceeded Growth
6-8 Performance: 2 Exceeded Growth/ 1 Met Growth:
Chatham MS: D / Exceeded Growth
George Moses Horton MS: B / Exceeded Growth
Margaret B. Pollard MS: B / Met Growth
9-12 Performance: 3 Exceeded Growth, 2 Met Growth:
Chatham Early College: A / Exceeded Growth
Chatham Central HS: B / Exceeded Growth
Jordan-Matthews HS: C / Met Growth
Northwood HS: B / Exceeded Growth
Seaforth HS: B / Met Growth
FOCUS ON EXCELLENCE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS
Multilingual/English Language Learners (EL) saw notable gains — with the percentage of students meeting progress or exiting EL status climbing from 25.1% to 32.5%, thanks to innovative instructional supports and a commitment to excellence and opportunity that ensures success for ALL students.
SUPERINTENDENT’S STATEMENT
“This year’s results tell a powerful story of what’s possible when a community believes in its students,” said Dr. Anthony D. Jackson, Superintendent of Chatham County Schools. “Excellence is no longer the exception in Chatham County Schools — it’s the expectation. Across every feeder pattern, every school, and every classroom, our students, teachers, and families are proving what is possible when innovation, equity, and high expectations come together. ONE Chatham is truly working for ALL students.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Guided by the theme “Elevate Chatham,” the district remains committed to:
Raising academic performance even higher in every school.
Expanding innovative programs and targeted supports for students.
Celebrating and sharing the extraordinary achievements that are making Chatham County Schools a model of excellence across North Carolina.
For more information about Chatham County Schools, please contact CCS’s Public Information Officer, Jessica Pasión at (919) 542-3626 or visit www.chatham.k12.nc.us. For the 2025-2026 school year, parents are encouraged to review the district’s testing calendar and Right to Know Guide on our website at https://www.chatham.k12.nc.us/page/accountability.
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Media Contact:
Jessica Pasión
jpasion@chatham.k12.nc.us
468 Renaissance Drive
Pittsboro, NC 27539
Phone: 919.542.3626
About Chatham County Schools
Chatham County Schools serves more than 9,000 students across 20 schools in central North Carolina. With a commitment to excellence, equity, anπd engagement, the district works in partnership with families and the community to prepare ALL students for success in college, careers, and life.
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