A Royal Milestone: Royal Elementary School Earns Historic Grade 'B'

A Royal Harvest: Royal Elementary Surges to Historic Grade 'B' After More Than a Decade

LOUISBURG, NC — A decade-long quest for academic excellence has culminated in a historic triumph at Royal Elementary School. Following the release of the North Carolina 2025–2026 state accountability data, the home of the Royal Knights has officially earned a School Performance Grade of 'B' —marking the first time in over ten years that the school has reached this prestigious tier.

Under the banner of Franklin County Schools’ 2026–2027 district theme, "Rooted in Purpose," Royal Elementary has proven what is possible when rigorous instruction, student potential, and community partnerships are deeply aligned. The school raised its school performance score from a 66 (Grade C) in 2025 to a stellar 76 (Grade B) in 2026—an extraordinary 10-point leap that stands as a model for academic growth across the state.

Shattering Records Across Every Subject

The data behind Royal Elementary's rise reveals a story of comprehensive, school-wide academic success. In overall Grade Level Proficiency (GLP) composite scores, Royal Elementary recorded a massive double-digit surge:

• GLP Composite: Soared to 73.6% GLP (according to district comparison tables), representing an incredible 14.7 percentage point increase over last year's 58.9% .
• Proficiency Composite (EOG Data): Reached 73.4% GLP, displaying a remarkable 13.4 percentage point gain over the school's 60.0% score in 2025.

These achievements place Royal Elementary among the top-tier elementary schools in the region, with students demonstrating exceptional command over core subjects:

• NC Math EOG Proficiency: An outstanding 77.2% of students achieved proficiency, supported by the proactive data reviews and check-ins outlined in Goal 2 of the district's Blueprint 2030 Strategic Plan.
• NC Reading EOG Proficiency: Rose to a strong 70.9%, reflecting the deep impact of early literacy initiatives and school-based interventions.
• Grade 5 Science EOG Proficiency: An absolutely jaw-dropping 88.2% of Royal fifth graders achieved grade-level proficiency —outpacing state averages by more than twenty percentage points and cementing RES as a powerhouse of science instruction.

Cultivating Sustainable Academic Growth

What makes Royal Elementary’s achievement so significant is that it is built on a foundation of sustainable growth. The school officially MET state academic growth expectations with a positive Growth Index of 1.87.

Having also exceeded growth targets in the previous academic year with a 5.32 index, RES has established a multi-year trend of continuous, upward momentum.

"Honest reflection creates healthy growth," says Superintendent Dr. Nakia Hardy, reflecting on the district's strategic framework. "Royal Elementary’s historic 'B' is a direct reflection of our educators' passion, our students' grit, and our families' trust. By remaining deeply rooted in our purpose, our Knights are scaling new heights and preparing for life-long success."

“Earning a School Performance Grade ‘B’ is a tremendous milestone for Royal Elementary and a reflection of the commitment of our entire school community,” said Principal Jacquail Green. “Our students have worked incredibly hard, our teachers and staff have remained focused on providing high-quality instruction, and our families continue to support us every step of the way. We are proud of what our Royal Knights have accomplished, and we are excited to continue building on this success as we remain rooted in purpose.”

Choice and Innovation: The Dual Language Advantage

In addition to traditional academic rigor, Royal Elementary serves as a key hub for choice programming within Franklin County Schools. RES proudly hosts the district’s Spanish Dual Language Immersion program. In alignment with Blueprint 2030 Goal 1 (Career and College Readiness), the district has actively committed to expanding this dual language program by a class each year at RES, providing students with unique bilingual and cognitive advantages that prepare them to graduate ready for a global economy.

As the Royal Knights celebrate this historic milestone, their eyes are firmly fixed on the future. With a strong school community, dedicated staff, and a proven playbook for achievement, Royal Elementary has sown the seeds for a harvest of success that will benefit Franklin County for generations to come.