Pelham City Schools earns an A on state report card; principals point to higher graduation, AP and dual-enrollment gains

Pelham City Schools officials announced at the board meeting that the district earned an A on the state report card, praising gains in student outcomes and program participation.

The announcement came during the 'Panther Pride' communications update delivered by communications director Nicole Wheeler, who said, "Pelham City Schools earned an A on our report card this year." Wheeler and school leaders described the grade as a reflection of both achievement and growth across district schools while noting the limitations of single-day standardized tests.

Why it matters: the district said several indicators drove the improvement. Pelham High School leaders reported the graduation rate for the class of 2025 reached 95%, and the district cited college-and-career-readiness measures that are reported in arrears. The high school also reported expansion and stronger outcomes in Advanced Placement courses — "3 out of every 4 AP tests taken at Pelham High School received a qualifying score," the high-school presenter said — and growing dual-enrollment participation (76 students earning a reported 389 college credit hours for the class of 2025).

Supporting details: Pillen Park Middle School Principal Ryan Kendall described gains in ELA proficiency — noting a rise from 58% to 63% proficiency — and high growth measures in seventh grade. Kendall said the school is using monthly professional learning communities, instructional coaching, and targeted intervention classes (identified 160 students for intervention across ELA and math; 40 of those students moved up after the first quarter) to sustain improvement.

Pelham High School leadership credited broader strategies for the rise, including targeted work for students scoring at the lowest proficiency levels, expanded AP course offerings (the district reported 18 AP programs this year with plans to add more), and a third year of the district 'Engage' professional-development program for teachers. The high-school presenter noted that an individual AP language teacher, Katie Travis, reported a 97% pass rate in her course.

What officials said next: presenters repeatedly emphasized continued work is needed. "We have an A. We still have work to do," Nicole Wheeler said, and school leaders outlined follow-up data collection and continual professional development as next steps.

The meeting concluded this item with board members congratulating staff and students and thanking partners who supported programs and student opportunities.