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Bedford County Schools report proficiency gains in ELA and math; district growth rated Level 3
Summary
Superintendent Tammy Garrett reported districtwide gains in English language arts and math and highlighted top-performing schools; commissioners were briefed on demographic breakdowns and areas needing improvement, notably middle‑school growth.
Bedford County Schools Superintendent Tammy Garrett reported to the Board of Commissioners that district achievement data showed gains in English language arts and math for the most recent school year and that the district composite growth rating is Level 3.
Garrett provided demographic context for the results: about 56% of students are white; the district’s identified super subgroup (Black, Hispanic and Native American students) comprises roughly 43% of students; 47% are economically disadvantaged; 12% have disabilities; and 16% are English learners.
On achievement, Garrett said English language arts proficiency rose about 3% from the previous year and roughly 10% since 2021. Math proficiency was up about 1.8% year‑over‑year and also up about 10% since 2021. Garrett noted that the increase represents roughly 870 additional students considered proficient across the district compared with earlier years and described the gains as attributable to the work of educators and principals.
Garrett highlighted top performers: Thomas Magnet School (82.2% math proficiency; 82.1% ELA proficiency) and Cascade Elementary (64.7% math; 54.1% ELA). She noted specific grade‑level successes — for example, Thomas third‑grade ELA at 92.3% proficient and a seventh‑grade math class at Thomas and Algebra I at Thomas reporting 100% proficiency in the data presented.
Garrett said the district’s primary growth challenge is in middle schools and identified Harris Middle School and Southside as areas of focus going forward. She also noted that the federal GEAR UP grant (a college‑access program) is now fully staffed and operating in middle and high schools to boost college enrollment pathways.
"We are really excited of what our educators and our principals and our students are doing," Superintendent Tammy Garrett said when summarizing the results.
Commissioners thanked Garrett and recognized the district's achievements; no formal action was required.
