Iredell-Statesville Schools Celebrates Rise In School Performance And Growth

Iredell-Statesville Schools increased their graduation rate slightly from 91.1% to 91.6%, which is above the state average of 88.8%. This graduation rate also reflects the highest in district history.

“We continue to be a premier education provider in Iredell County,” explained Superintendent Dr. Jeff James. “We have more schools meeting and exceeding growth and made history by achieving the highest graduation rate in Iredell-Statesville Schools.”

Several schools achieved notable gains that deserve recognition. The Collaborative College for Technology and Leadership has exceeded growth expectations for five consecutive years. Harmony Elementary School has three consecutive years of exceeding growth expectations. The Brawley School, West Iredell Middle School, Woodland Heights Elementary School and Woodland Heights Middle School moved from meeting growth expectations to exceeding growth expectations.

Both academic officers recognized the hard work that has played a role in this positive growth.

“These numbers represent so much more than a percentage on a report,” stated Diana Jones, Chief Elementary Academic Officer. “They represent students who worked hard, teachers who showed up every day committed to strong instruction, and school leaders who stayed focused on what their students needed most.”

“The Secondary Team is quite proud of our middle and high school teams,” Kelly Cooper, Chief Secondary Academic Officer, said. “Our teachers have worked diligently to close gaps and to ensure that student engagement continues to grow.”

District and school success will serve as baseline data for the a new 5-year strategic plan in August 2026. The plan focuses on preparing students, empowering educators, ensuring safe and healthy schools, and delivering operational excellence.

Goal 1 of the plan states Iredell-Statesville Schools will “ensure that every student graduates with the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive in college, career, and life.” One of the indicators to achieve this goal is for 75% of schools to meet or exceed growth annually. With the district’s baseline of this year being 63.9% of schools, there is certainly an opportunity for improvement. In addition to growth, the plan also sets the indicator of increasing proficiency in targeted areas by 3% annually. Currently, 12 out of 18 tested areas increased by 3.5% points proficiency or more.

“Our teams are focused on growth and poised to continue growing students and closing achievement gaps,” explained Cooper.

• Additional celebrations:
  ● Iredell-Statesville made gains in End-of-Grade and End-of-Course Tests. Seventh-grade Reading made the largest gain, going from 46.4% proficiency in 2024-2025 to 59.2% proficiency in 2025-2026. Additionally, Biology made a 9.6% proficiency gain, going from 48.5% in 2024-2025 to 58.1% proficiency for the 2025-2026 school year. Third-grade reading made notable gains from 47.5% proficiency in 2024-2025 to 55% proficiency in 2025-2026. A 6.8% proficiency gain was also achieved in seventh-grade math, rising from 50.8% proficiency in 2024-2025 to 57.6% proficiency for the 2025-2026 school year.
  ● Six schools moved from not meeting growth expectations in 2024-2025 to meeting growth expectations in 2025-2026.
       ○ Lake Norman Elementary School
       ○ N.B. Mills Elementary School
       ○ Oakwood Middle School
       ○ Scotts Elementary School
       ○ Shepherd Elementary School
       ○ Third Creek Elementary School
  ● Four schools in Iredell-Statesville increased their Letter Grade.

              ○ Lakeshore Elementary School moved from a C to a B.
              ○ Statesville High School moved from a D to a C.
              ○ Troutman Middle School moved from an F to a D.
              ○ Woodland Heights Elementary School moved from a B to an A.