two students smiling

At the School Board meeting on Wednesday, March 18, Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) shared encouraging midyear data showing that students are attending school more consistently and making meaningful progress in key academic areas.

“Midyear student progress across PWCS reflects the focused work happening in our classrooms, schools, and support teams every day,” said Superintendent Dr. LaTanya D. McDade. “While this update shows encouraging gains in attendance, literacy, reading, mathematics, and graduation readiness, it also reinforces our commitment to responding to student needs and sustaining that momentum through the second half of the school year.”

The update, presented by Dr. Stephanie Soliven, associate superintendent for teaching and learning, and Dr. Michael Neall, director of research, assessment, and data services, provided a midyear snapshot of student performance across the division and highlighted key trends and areas of progress.

“Midyear data gives us an important opportunity to pinpoint where we are, target areas for growth, and continue developing our strengths,” said Dr. Soliven. “What we are seeing is encouraging progress across the division and a continued commitment to ensuring every student has the support they need to thrive.”

PWCS reported 90,048 active students in the first semester of the 2025-26 school year. While overall enrollment is slightly lower than at the same point last year due to nationwide declines in birth rates, the division experienced growth among several student groups, including students in grades 6-8, English learners, and students with disabilities.

The update also reflected positive movement in student attendance. Average daily attendance remained strong throughout the first semester, and the division’s chronic absenteeism rate declined from 15.1% to 13.4% from August through January compared with the 2024-25 school year. That improvement signals continued progress in keeping students engaged in school and connected to learning.

Among students in grades 2-8, results from the HMH Growth Assessment, a measurement of student progress toward end-of-year expectations, showed gains in reading achievement. Divisionwide, the percentage of growth for students reading on or above grade level increased from 46.4% at the beginning of the year to 58.7% at midyear. Growth was also seen among key student groups, with English learners rising from 26.1% to 39.0% and students with disabilities increasing from 15.8% to 25.4

At the secondary level, the Student Testing and Reporting Assessment showed continued improvement for students in grades 9-11. The percentage of students scoring advanced or proficient increased from 65.9% to 69.6% divisionwide. English learners improved from 23.2% to 32.2%, while students with disabilities increased from 34.6% to 37.0%.

PWCS also reported notable gains in mathematics through Momentum Math, a universal screener used in grades 1-8 and Algebra. Across every reported grade level, more students were meeting or exceeding standards at midyear than at the beginning of the year.

The semester update further highlighted progress toward graduation for students classified as 12th graders during the 2025-26 school year. The percentage of students meeting core content credit requirements remained high across subject areas, including 95.1% in English, 95.4% in math, 95.2% in history, and 96.3% in science. Verified credit rates also remained strong, particularly in math, history, and science.

In addition to sharing student outcomes, PWCS outlined several strategies to continue accelerating success. These include implementing high-quality instructional materials in math with aligned supplemental and intervention supports, expanding training and access to Khan Academy for high school students, maintaining the Varsity Tutors partnership, improving attendance and engagement through targeted strategies and behavioral supports, coordinating services through priority school support teams, and strengthening home-school literacy connections through Just Right Reader.

Together, the data and support strategies reflect both strong midyear progress and a clear commitment to sustaining that growth. As PWCS approaches the close of the third quarter on March 27, the semester update reinforces the division’s continued focus on ensuring every student is supported, challenged, and prepared for a thriving future.