DOBSON — Surry County Schools fared well in the North Carolina School Report Cards report issued by the state department of education, generally besting state averages in test scoring, teacher certification, attendance and teacher turn-over.

“We are so very proud of the accomplishments of our school system,” said Dr. Jeff Tunstall, director of accountability and technology for county schools. “Our annual report as well as the North Carolina scorecard highlight these successes. We hope all of our parents take time to review our results.”

According to the report card district summary from the state, Surry County schools have lower average numbers of students in elementary (grades K-5), middle (grades 6-8), and high school ( grades 9-12) compared to the state. The county district had an average total of 342 students in elementary schools while the state averaged 499. Surry averaged 518 in its middle schools while the state had 668 and local high schools averaged 623 to the state average of 829.

Surry students exceeded the state average in students at or above grade level on the ABCs end of grade tests. Overall, county students scored 77.5 percent in reading and 90.5 in math. The state average is 71.2 percent in reading and 82.8 in mathematics. The annual report lists the combined overall end of course proficiency above 85 percent for the third straight year. This places county students in the top 15 of the school districts in the state.

County students also tested well when compared to the state average on the ABCs end of course tests in English I, algebra I and biology. The percentage of passing scores for the district in English I are 89.8 percent while the state average is 82.9. Surry students scored a district average of 85.8 percent in algebra I and 88.8 in biology. The state average is 78.7 percent in algebra I and 83 percent in biology.

The state report card also indicates county students had an average of 95 percent attendance daily in each grade level. This meets the state average for elementary, middle and high schools which is 95 percent. Surry County had 100 percent of its classrooms connected to the Internet in the access to technology portion of the report card while the state average is 99.8.

County schools compared favorably on the percentage of classroom teachers with clear initial or clear continuing licenses. Clear initial licences refer to licenses granted those beginning their career as a professional teacher. After a three-year period, the teacher is granted or denied what is called a clear continuing license by the state board of education.

The district had 100 percent of its elementary teachers meeting this licensing requirement compared to the state average of 99 percent. The district has 95 percent of its middle school teachers clear initial or continuing licensed and 92 percent of high school teachers meeting this goal. The state average is 96 percent of middle schools and 94 percent for high school teachers.

The percentage of teachers who left the school district from March of last year to this March in Surry was six percent in elementary, 10 percent in middle and eight in high school. The state average for elementary turnover is 12 percent and the state average in middle and high schools is 14 percent.

According to the county schools annual report, the district had a graduation grate of 83 percent compared to the state average of 80.3. The classes of 2012 at East Surry, North Surry, Surry Central and Surry Early College graduated 550 students who attained notable achievements during their high school career.

County high school students accepted scholarships amounting to a total of $3,851,443 with 120 seniors accepting scholarships. The overall grade point average of graduating seniors is 3.5 overall weighted. Those qualifying as North Carolina Academic Scholars for the class of 2012 represented 14 percent of the graduating class or 71 seniors.

The report indicates 18 county schools with a performance composite above 80 percent with none falling below 78 to place students in grades 3-8 performing in the top 20 of 115 state school districts. A total of 87 percent of East Surry, North Surry and Surry Central grads continued their education in college. Surry Early College High School of Design graduated 58 in the class of 2012 for a 100 percent graduation rate.

Reach David Broyles at dbroyles@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1952.