On November 21, Statesboro High School (SHS) unveiled its 2023-2024 school year highlights for the Bulloch County Board of Education, showcasing strides in academic achievement, improved graduation rates, enhanced school climate, and a commitment to fostering student success.
The presentation reflected the school’s dedication to data-driven improvement and its strategic approach to addressing both challenges and opportunities.
Academic Progress in Key Subjects
SHS shared its End-of-Course (EOC) data, highlighting mixed but encouraging trends across core subjects. In Algebra I, the school reported significant progress, reducing the percentage of students at the "Beginning" performance level from 56.7% in 2023 to 47% in 2024—a notable improvement. Biology also showed strong gains, with "Proficient" scores rising from 25.6% to 28.9% and "Distinguished" scores nearly doubling, climbing from 5.1% to 8.9%.
These achievements point to the success of targeted instructional strategies, such as Teacher Clarity training and Professional Learning Communities (PLCs).
However, challenges persist in American Literature and U.S. History, where the percentage of students scoring at the "Beginning" level rose, reaching 37.4% and 39.9%, respectively. Despite these setbacks, slight increases in the "Distinguished" category for American Literature signal potential areas for further focus and improvement.
Graduation Rate Reaches New Heights
One of the standout achievements for SHS in 2023-2024 was its continued success in raising the 4-year graduation rate. The school’s rate climbed to 87.1%, up from 86.9% in 2022-2023 and 83.5% in 2021-2022.
This steady upward trend reflects SHS’s commitment to supporting students through a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Programs like "Devil Pride Time," quarterly assemblies, parent nights, and close monitoring of at-risk students have played a pivotal role in this success.
These efforts align with the school’s second School Improvement Plan (SIP) goal: to achieve a 3% annual increase in the graduation rate.
With consistent implementation of its MTSS framework, SHS is well on track to meet its target of 84.9% by 2025.
Attendance Improvements Point to Increased Engagement
Attendance data revealed promising trends, with the percentage of students absent more than 10% of enrolled days decreasing. For the first nine weeks of the 2024-2025 school year, absenteeism dropped to 5.78%, a noticeable improvement from 6.51% during the same period in 2023-2024.
Similar gains were observed in the second nine weeks, where absenteeism fell from 8.19% to 7.39%. These numbers reflect ongoing efforts to keep students engaged and present, emphasizing the school’s dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment.
Significant Decrease in Behavior Incidents
Behavioral data further underscored SHS’s success in creating a positive school climate. The presentation revealed a significant decrease in behavior incidents compared to previous years, showcasing the impact of initiatives aimed at promoting consistency, accountability, and positivity.
Although spikes were historically observed during winter months, the overall downward trend highlights the effectiveness of proactive measures such as structured routines and schoolwide incentives.
Fostering a Positive Climate and Culture
Central to SHS’s strategy for improvement is its commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school climate. The school implemented several initiatives aimed at building student pride and engagement:
- Live Announcements
- Grade-Level Incentives
- True Blue Send-Offs
- School Pep Rallies
These efforts, combined with clear MTSS roles and consistent monitoring of students needing additional support, have contributed to an environment where students feel empowered to succeed.
School Improvement Plan Goals Drive Change
The November 21 presentation emphasized SHS’s dedication to its School Improvement Plan (SIP) goals, which center on two key objectives:
- Professional Learning Communities (PLCs): SHS aims to increase its overall content mastery score by 3% annually, growing from 53.3% in 2022 to 57.4% by 2025. This initiative includes Teacher Clarity training in core subjects like Biology, Algebra, U.S. History, and English Language Arts (ELA), as well as structured weekly PLC meetings for teachers.
- Graduation Rate: With a goal of a 3% annual increase, SHS’s comprehensive MTSS framework focuses on improving attendance, behavior, and academic performance to ensure students are supported and successful.
While Statesboro High School has made commendable progress in many areas, it remains focused on addressing challenges and driving further improvement. Continued efforts to support students academically, behaviorally, and socially reflect the school’s mission to prepare students for success and enhance the community’s value.
With initiatives rooted in data and a commitment to fostering a positive school climate, SHS is poised to build on these achievements in the years to come.
