The Virginia Department of Education has selected Belmont Elementary School as a 2024 National Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) Distinguished School. Belmont Elementary, one of only two schools in the state chosen, is being recognized for closing achievement gaps between student groups.

“The efforts of Ms. Joy Greene [principal of Belmont Elementary School] and her dedicated team of educators and staff at Belmont Elementary School have helped provide targeted and focused instruction to meet the needs of their students,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “As a result of their hard work, such as the numerous community and family partnerships, data-driven instruction and review, co-planning and co-teaching efforts, and robust tutoring opportunities, the school has closed achievement gaps and raised performance across student groups. Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment.”

“We are thrilled to be selected as a 2024 National ESEA Distinguished School! This award would not have been possible without the support of our amazing staff members, outstanding families, and generous community partners who collaborate to meet the needs of all our students. It definitely takes a village to provide an outstanding educational experience. By working together, our students were able to make tremendous academic growth,” stated Greene.

Belmont, a Title I school with students from 21 countries who speak 22 languages, reported an increase in its unadjusted math SOL pass rate from 2023 to 2024. The rates improved by 23% for English language learners, 11% for students with disabilities, 20% for Hispanic students, 17% for Black students, 13% for economically disadvantaged students, and 7% for Asian students. Additionally, the school’s student groups scored higher than the state average on the reading and math SOLs.

Belmont will be recognized at the 2024 National ESEA Conference in February, in Austin, Texas.

The ESEA provides federal aid for elementary and secondary education, requiring states to set goals for improving student achievement in reading and math. It funds Virginia’s school divisions to support eligible schools and aims to raise the achievement of students at risk due to poverty and other factors.

The Distinguished Schools Program, a project of the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators, recognizes federally funded schools from each state for their outstanding achievements in education. Each year, only two schools per state are chosen as National ESEA Distinguished Schools, highlighting the prestigious nature of this honor.

More information about all National ESEA Distinguished Schools is available on the ESEA Network website.