Wilson County Schools posts modest proficiency gains; district honors student adviser and first STEM‑distinction school

Wilson County Board of Education members heard a presentation on Sept. 15 showing modest student achievement gains across the district and recognized two local honorees: Daniela Mojica Uriostegui, the district’s newly appointed student adviser to the North Carolina State Board of Education, and Frederick Douglass Elementary School for earning the North Carolina STEM School Distinction.

"For another year, Wilson County Schools increased the overall grade level proficiency by 3 tenths of a point," said Dr. Daniel Barnes, executive director of accountability, as he summarized the 2024–25 accountability results. He reported the district’s grade‑level proficiency rose from 56.1% to 56.4% and that the district moved from the 30th percentile to the 30th‑fourth ranking in statewide comparisons (as presented to the board).

Barnes told the board the district is now 2.5 percentage points from a top‑20 ranking and noted that summer testing added 699 proficient scores; the district was 335 scores short of the top‑20 threshold. "Our cohort graduation rate for the third straight year is above 80% — it is back to 83 percent," Barnes said.

The presentation listed additional district results: three of four middle schools and five elementary schools exceeded expected growth; 21 of 24 schools that receive a growth grade met or exceeded expected growth; the district had no F‑rated schools for the first time since 2018; and several schools and programs posted first‑time achievements (for example, Wilson Academy of Applied Technology surpassed 90% grade‑level proficiency for the first time). Barnes also reported subject‑level changes: combined grades 3–8 reading/English rose 3.2%, grades 3–8 math rose 3.6%, middle schools showed strong year‑to‑year gains, and science declined amid a new statewide science assessment with no retest opportunity.

Superintendent Dr. Mills and board members praised the reported progress. "This sustained high level of performance over time is something to be proud of," a board member said during remarks following the presentation.

In the "good news" portion of the meeting, board members recognized Daniela Mojica Uriostegui, identified in the meeting as a junior at Wilson Early College Academy, on her appointment as student adviser to the North Carolina State Board of Education. The board said she will represent public school students statewide during a two‑year appointment.

The board also formally recognized Frederick Douglass Elementary School for receiving the North Carolina STEM School Distinction — the district’s first school to earn that designation. Dr. Christine Mitchell, district STEM coordinator, described the STEM designation process as a multistep evaluation that included a district STEM strategic plan, a site visit by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and documented evidence of STEM practices across grade levels. Principal Casey Wester Wooten and members of the Frederick Douglass leadership team attended the meeting to accept the recognition.

Board members and district staff said the STEM recognition has generated interest from other districts and highlighted partnerships supporting STEM work, including Wilson Community College, STEM East, the Smithsonian, and industry partners. Dr. Mitchell said local programs such as robotics teams, FIRST robotics participation and the district STEMposium help expand hands‑on STEM opportunities.

The board took no formal action on the accountability presentation; the information was presented for the board’s review and discussion.