For the second straight year, Cabarrus County Schools (CCS) has increased its overall proficiency rate according to state testing results released by the North Carolina State Board of Education on Wednesday.  

The grade level proficiency (GLP) rate in CCS rose to 60.9 percent, ranking CCS 12th among North Carolina’s 115 school districts. Cabarrus County Schools ranks ninth statewide in College-Career Readiness (CCR).  

“While the data shows there is still work to be done, we are encouraged that our students continue to show growth in the classroom,” said CCS Superintendent Dr. John Kopicki. “Our teachers, administrators, Board of Education, district leadership, and building and central office staff are working hard to engage and inspire students in the classroom every day, and I’d like to thank them for continuing to move our students forward. 

“As a district we are committed to continuous improvement, and our staff members continue to make gains with every student, every day." 

Of the 41 CCS schools that receive a letter grade, 82.9 percent (34-of-41) scored an A, B, or C – an increase from 76.9 percent (30-of-39) in 2022 -- while 80.5 percent (33 of 41) of CCS schools either “met” or “exceeded” expected growth – an increase from 79.5 percent (31 of 39) in 2021-22. Eight CCS schools earned an “A.”  

“Cabarrus County Schools is incredibly proud of the hard work of our dedicated students and staff,” said CCS Chief Academic Officer Sarah Reeves. “The data released today is simply a small snapshot of the hard work that occurred over the 2022-2023 school year.   

“Every year, our district continues to make academic growth, with our schools working towards exceeding pre-pandemic growth and proficiency. We are most proud of the number of schools that moved the needle on student achievement as shown by an increasing number of schools that met or exceeded growth.”  

The four-year graduation rate in CCS rose to 88.9 percent, topping the statewide average of 86.4 percent.  The graduation rate of students identified as English Learners in CCS rose nearly 20 percentage points year-over-year from 57.5 percent in 2022 to 76.5 percent in 2023.  

“In June – long before today’s data release -- our district and schools built out this year’s strategic goals related to student wellness, academic achievement, as well as graduation rates as we want to continually make growth in every area,” added Reeves. 

Cabarrus County Schools has already taken steps towards accelerating student growth and achievement for the current school year by emphasizing a culture of care and prioritizing high-quality professional development for staff and teachers -- with an emphasis on professional learning communities and strategic goal setting in the areas of student wellness and academic achievement,   

Cabarrus County Schools continues to emphasize career development, advanced course placement, and acceleration opportunities for students to meet their unique learning goals.  

This year’s data reveals:  

⦁ CCS ranked 12th of N.C.’s 115 school districts in Grade Level Proficiency (a score of 3-or-above on the EOC/EOG) and ninth in College-Career Readiness (a score of 4-or—above on the EOC/EOG).  

⦁ Eight-of-41 CCS schools received an “A” letter grade for the 2022-23 school year.  This represents nearly 20 percent of CCS schools.  

⦁ 82.9 percent (34-of-41) of CCS schools received an A, B, or C – an increase from 76.9 percent (30-of-39) in 2022.  

⦁ 80.5 percent (33 of 41) of CCS schools either “met” or “exceeded” expected growth – an increase from 79.5 percent (31 of 39) in 2021-22.  

⦁ Cabarrus County Schools’ 60.9 percent proficiency rate is the highest value since the 2018-19 school year.  The proficiency across the state of NC this year was 53.6 percent.  

⦁ The four-year graduation rate in CCS rose to 88.9 percent, topping the statewide average of 86.4 percent.  The graduation rate of students identified as English Learners in CCS rose nearly 20 percentage points year-over-year from 57.5 percent in 2022 to 76.5 percent in 2023.