The 2026 School Performance and Support Framework results have been released by the Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger. The SPSF provides school leaders, educators, families and caregivers, and policymakers with a snapshot of the performance and progress of schools across the Commonwealth from the 2025-26 school year.
The SPSF looks at each school’s academic performance and growth, student readiness and attendance, and — for high schools — students’ preparation for employment, enrollment in a postsecondary institution, and enlistment in the military.
“As Governor and as a mother of three school-aged daughters, I am working to make sure that every child feels safe, supported, and prepared to thrive during their years in Virginia’s schools and into their futures. These results show that while we continue to address remaining challenges, we are well on our way toward that being every child’s reality,” said Spanberger. “Our educators go above and beyond to set every student up for success. Parents and families deserve to know their child is receiving an outstanding education in our Commonwealth. That’s why we are focused on using this data to target investments to schools where students need it most. It’s why we are putting students first.”
Statewide growth illustrated in the new data includes:
More than 99 percent of schools are now fully accredited, meaning that they meet all the Commonwealth’s required health, safety, staffing, compliance, and planning requirements.
Schools increased their overall SPSF scores by roughly 5 points on average.
4 in 10 schools improved their overall performance category rating.
Improvement, particularly at the elementary school levels, was driven in part by student progress on the Growth indicator.
3 out of every 4 schools in the Commonwealth saw drops in chronic absenteeism.
Each of those four components is measured by multiple indicators, such as student proficiency on state tests, student growth year to year, graduation rates, absenteeism, and other factors. Schools are then awarded a composite score that correlates with a performance category: Distinguished, Meets Expectations, Approaching Expectations, or Needs Intensive Support.
All nine of Russell County’s schools are listed as fully accredited, with four falling in the category of Distinguished. They include Belfast Elementary, Honaker Elementary, Castlewood High, and Honaker High.
Schools in the Meets Expectations category include Lebanon Primary, Lebanon Elementary, and Lebanon High.
Those in the Approaching Expectations group are Castlewood Elementary and Lebanon Middle.
No county schools were found to be in the group of Needs Intensive Support.
Belfast Elementary was among the region’s most improved schools, with a gain of 10.69 percentage points.
BES was also among the top five elementary schools in Mastery-Reading and Mastery-Math.
