Discovery STEM Academy and Greenwood Earn Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Awards

Posted: June 26, 2023

Discovery STEM Academy and Greenwood Elementary School earned 2022-2023 Virginia Board of Education Exemplar Awards for Continuous Improvement. The Board of Education Exemplar School Recognition Program recognizes schools that exceed board-established requirements or show continuous improvement on academic and school quality indicators.

Students and staff at Discovery STEM Academy increased its combined Standards of Learning (SOL) test pass rates in math, reading and science for the past three years and increased its combined pass rate by more than 10 points for two or more student groups in reading and math during the same time period.

Greenwood Elementary School's students and staff increased the combined SOL test pass rate for two or more student groups in reading and math during each of the last three school years. The school raised its pass rates by more than 10 points.

In announcing the Exemplar Awards, Dr. Lisa Coons, Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction, stated "I am elated to recognize school staff, students, and the community for providing high expectations that have resulted in positive educational outcomes for all students."

Dr. Michele Mitchell, Interim Superintendent of Newport News Public Schools, also expressed her congratulations, stating "I am very proud of these achievements. The success of Discovery STEM Academy and Greenwood Elementary School are a testament to the commitment of their staff, students and families. Together, they are making academic success a priority."

Discovery STEM Academy students experience a lesson in music making.
Discovery STEM Academy students experience a lesson in music making.
First-grade students at Greenwood Elementary School conduct investigations with apples.
First-grade students at Greenwood Elementary School conduct investigations with apples.