Hampton City Schools reports full accreditation and a record 98.88% graduation rate for Class of 2025
Hampton City School Board · January 8, 2026
Summary
Superintendent staff presented the division’s performance under Virginia’s new accountability model: all 29 schools are fully accredited and the Class of 2025 achieved a record 98.88% on‑time graduation rate with a 0.2% dropout rate.
Hampton City Schools reported that all 29 of its schools are fully accredited for the 2025‑26 school year under Virginia’s revised accountability and accreditation framework, and announced a record on‑time graduation rate of 98.88% for the Class of 2025.
Dr. James Harris, presenting the division’s accountability results, said the state’s new framework measures academic mastery, student growth and readiness. "I am pleased to report that all 29 Hampton City schools are fully accredited for the 2526 school year," he said, noting that 93% of schools met or exceeded a benchmark sum score of 80 points before federal indicators were applied and that 72% were recognized as distinguished or on track after federal indicators — above the statewide rate of 66%.
Shamika Pollard presented graduation details and breakout results for the class of 2025 (cohort of 1,512 students). She told the board the division’s on‑time graduation rate was 98.88%, the highest in the district’s recorded history. Pollard gave school‑level rates: Bethel High School 98.59%, Hampton High School 98.52%, Kecoughtan High School 98.41% and Phoebus High School 100%. She also reported subgroup outcomes highlighted by the division: "100 percent of students with disabilities graduated on time," 97.62% of English learners graduated on time (noted as about 20 points above the state average cited in the presentation), 99.17% of Hispanic students and 98.5% of African American students graduated on time; 100 students identified as homeless graduated on time. The division’s dropout rate for the class of 2025 was reported as 0.2% (state average cited as 5.1%).
Dr. Harris referenced an independent review by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) and the report’s recommendation that business rules that allow a single student‑group result to lower a whole‑school rating should be reconsidered; he and the board described targeted improvement plans as the preferred approach to supporting student groups that need assistance.
Board members repeatedly praised the work of graduation specialists, counselors and school staff in achieving the results. Several board members asked that staff continue targeted supports and monitoring for student groups. No formal policy decision or funding change was made at the meeting; the presentations were informational and the board scheduled routine follow‑up (finance report in February).
The district recognized graduation specialists and supporting staff during the meeting; board members offered public thanks and applause for the staff credited with supporting students to completion.
Next steps: the board did not take additional formal action on accountability policy at this meeting; staff will continue monitoring and implementing improvement plans for any schools or student groups identified as needing support.
