NNPS at a Glance
Each day in Newport News Public Schools the focus is on one mission: ensuring that all students graduate college, career and citizen-ready.
The Newport News Public Schools division educates 27,000 children in 41 schools: 3 early childhood centers, 24 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 5 high schools, 1 middle/high combination school and a virtual learning academy. NNPS employees number 4,688.
With an early learning curriculum designed to boost literacy and math instruction, state-of-the art science labs and advanced educational technology, NNPS has the tools to ensure student and teacher success.
Virginia's School Quality Profiles provide information about student achievement, demographics, college and career readiness, program completion, school safety, teacher quality and other topics of interest to parents and the general public.
Great things are happening in NNPS
Students increased achievement in all subjects while taking more rigorous SOL tests.
More Newport News students are mastering tougher Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in math, English, science and history/social science.
The new tests are designed to better prepare students to meet the demands and opportunities of the 21st century.
Newport News Public Schools curriculum is aligned to the new Standards of Learning, but NNPS educators go beyond teaching the minimum state standards. The NNPS curriculum combines the SOLs with the district's college, career and citizen-ready skills to better prepare students for success as learners, future employees and contributing citizens.
- Information literacy
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Creativity and innovation
- Initiative and self-direction
- Social responsibility
- Collaboration
NNPS Students are Preparing for Successful Futures
More high school students are earning industry certifications, preparing them for future careers. In 2018, NNPS students earned more than 3,400 certifications, compared to 741 in 2011. Employers seek these certifications for high-wage, high-demand and high-skilled careers.
69% of middle school students earned high school credit; 61% of middle school students successfully passed an Algebra I or higher course and the SOL.
85% of high school students passed an honors, Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate course.
Nearly half of the class of 2018 earned an advanced diploma.
NNPS graduation rate increases, tops state average
Newport News Public Schools' graduation rate increased to 94.5% with the Class of 2021. The school division's on-time graduation rate has increased significantly from 72.9% in 2008. During the same period, the dropout rate decreased from 12% to 1.4%. Read more...
Accomplishments and Awards
Newport News Public Schools' English as a Second Language program was recognized as a grand-prize winner in the National School Board Association's 2018 Magna Awards program. The Magna program highlights equity in education and recognizes school districts that remove barriers to achievement. NNPS was one of three grand prize winners.
The Governor's Health Sciences Academy at Warwick High School and the ASSIST Student Led Help Desk at the Heritage High School Governor's STEM Academy earned 2017-18 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Creating Excellence Awards. Presented by the Virginia Department of Education and the Virginia Community College System, the awards recognize excellence in CTE programs. The Advanced Students Supporting Innovative Systematic Technology (ASSIST) Student Led Help Desk received the state award in the CTE Exemplary Program category. The partnership between the Riverside College of Health Careers and the Governor's Health Sciences Academy earned the top recognition in the Secondary Business and Industry Partnership category.
Deer Park Elementary and Hilton Elementary earned a 2018 Virginia Board of Education Excellence Award for exceeding all state and federal accountability standards, making significant progress toward goals for increased student achievement and expanding educational opportunities. To earn the Board of Education Excellence Award, elementary schools must be fully accredited, exceed federal accountability standards in reading and mathematics, and have a significant number of students demonstrate advanced proficiency and proficiency on all Standards of Learning tests.
Christopher Newport University and NNPS launched the Community Captains program, a new partnership that grants early admission to qualifying 10th grade students. Participating students will have three years of free, on-campus learning opportunities at CNU, in addition to a free class for college credit, CNU student mentors, and financial aid programs for tuition assistance.
Discovery STEM Academy, NNPS' newest elementary school, was awarded the Learning By Design Award of Excellence by Learning By Design Magazine. The school is one of five education facility design projects awarded the top prize this year. The Learning By Design program highlights the country's most engaging and enriching learning environments.
234 NNPS high school students who took Advanced Placement courses during the 2017-18 school year were named 2018 Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars by the College Board. Students earning this distinction took at least three AP course exams and scored a 3 or better (out of 5) on each exam. Students with qualifying grades may earn college credit.
Woodside High School and Warwick High School were named 2017-18 W!SE Blue Star Schools for their students' performance on the W!SE Financial Literacy Certification Test. The national certification test is given to high school students upon completion of the personal finance course. To earn the Blue Star designation, students must achieve an 80% pass rate on the test with either a majority of students at a given grade level taking the test or an average score of 85% or higher by students who take the test. Twelve NNPS career and technical education teachers were named W!SE Gold Star teachers for their students' successful performance on the test.
Newport News Public Schools has earned two awards from the Association of School Business Officials International in recognition of outstanding financial management and distinguished budget presentation. NNPS received a Certificate of Excellence for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the 2018 fiscal year and a Meritorious Budget Award for the 2018-2019 budget document.