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Bedford County Schools score 'advancing'; six schools earn federal 'reward' designation
Summary
Assistant to the director of Bedford County Schools reported the district earned an "advancing" designation, the highest yet, based on 2023–24 student achievement and growth; six schools qualified as federal 'reward' schools and several capital projects were updated.
Bedford County Schools reported academic results from the 2023–24 school year to the Bedford County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 14, with district leadership announcing the district’s overall designation as "advancing" and six schools earning a federal "reward" designation.
Tim Harwell, speaking as the assistant for the school system's director, told commissioners that the state and federal accountability system assigns letter grades (A–F) based on student achievement, growth and, for high schools, college- and career-readiness. Harwell said the district received its highest-ever designation, "advancing," and highlighted the local schools that earned top marks and reward status.
Key results from the 2023–24 year reported to the commission: - Four schools received an "A" grade: Cascade Elementary, Cascade Middle School, Cascade High School and Thomas Magnet School. - Two schools received a "B" grade: Community Elementary and Community High. - Five schools received a "C" grade: Aiken, Shelbyville Central, Harris Middle, (transcript: “Community Bridal” — as spoken), and East Side. - Three schools received a "D" grade: Learning Way, Liberty and Southside. - Six schools were designated as federal "reward" schools (highest number the district has recorded in a single year): Cascade Elementary, Cascade Middle, Cascade High School, Aiken, Community Elementary and Thomas Magnet School.
Harwell added that reward-school status reflects high performance and/or improvement on achievement and growth indicators, including TCAP and EOC exam results, graduation rates, chronic absenteeism and English-language-proficiency measures. He said the district has seen improvement and commended teachers, principals and students for the gains.
Capital projects and timeline details provided to commissioners: - Thomas Magnet School: four classrooms are being added; flooring is installed and windows remain on order. Staff expect furniture and occupancy by March 2025. - Liberty: ten new classrooms are under construction, with a completion target in February and furniture delivery (and student occupancy) expected in March 2025. - Cartwright Elementary finished under budget; surplus funds were directed to upgrade athletic-field lighting across middle and high schools to LED fixtures and, in some locations, new poles.
Why it matters: the districtwide "advancing" designation and the increase in reward schools indicate measurable improvements under the state and federal accountability systems, and the capital projects will add instructional space and athletic lighting in the near term.
Ending
Commissioners received the report and had no additional questions at the time; the district will proceed with the capital projects and continue to report progress to the commission.
