CMS schools top "Turnaround" list, Gaston Co. school ranks fifth | Schools

WEST CHARLOTTE/DALLAS - Two Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools and one Gaston County school ranked in the top five for "Turnaround" high schools in North Carolina recognized for high student performance.

Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology is ranked number one for this years "Turnaround" schools with 94.7 percent of test scores being at or above proficient, followed closely by Harding University High with 94.5 percent.

North Gaston High School in Gaston County ranked fifth with 86.6 percent.

What makes these schools' student performance so special is that five years ago they were among the state's 66 lowest-performing high schools.

Fourteen North Carolina high schools were recognized during a luncheon ceremony on Tuesday for having at least 80 percent of students' end-of-course test scores at or above proficient.

State Superintendent June Atkinson said the success of these schools is significant and linked directly to a team approach.

"Turnaround schools have benefitted from the dedication of state consultants, school leaders, faculty and staff, and parents working together as a team. Investing resources, expertise and hard work does result in increased student performance," Atkinson said.

Performance composites indicate the percentage of student end-of-course test scores that are at or above proficient.

In 2005, North Carolina embarked on the high school turnaround initiative to provide intensive assistance to a group of persistently low-performing high schools. In 2006, additional high schools and middle schools were added, creating a group of 66 high schools and 37 middle schools. Schools involved in the turnaround process were required to develop a "Framework for Action" that guided improvement activities for the school, including a description of the actions to be taken and the people and resources involved.

Schools that are part of the Turnaround program will now be assisted under the state's Race to the Top College & Career Ready, Set, Go! initiative. This program's turnaround activities target schools that are in the bottom 5 percent of performance and/or have graduation rates below 60 percent, and districts with aggregate performance composites below 65 percent.

To see a full list of "Turnaround" high schools, click here.