Lion Pride at Long Mill Elementary: School Exceeds Academic Growth Expectations and Surges 10 Points in State Rating

Lion Pride at Long Mill Elementary: School Exceeds Academic Growth Expectations and Surges 10 Points in State Rating

Long Mill Elementary Delivers 61.3% Overall Proficiency Composite and 67.3% Math Proficiency Under "Rooted in Purpose" District Framework

LOUISBURG, N.C. (September 16, 2026) — Franklin County Schools (FCS) proudly celebrates Long Mill Elementary School (LMES) for achieving extraordinary academic growth and proficiency gains following the release of the 2025–2026 state accountability results by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Aligned with the district’s 2026–2027 theme, "Rooted in Purpose," and the strategic priorities of Blueprint 2030, Long Mill Elementary officially Exceeded State Academic Growth Expectations and delivered a 10-point surge in its overall school performance score.

2026 Accountability & Academic Highlights

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction accountability data showcases significant multi-year momentum and subject-area excellence across Long Mill Elementary School:

• Exceeded State Academic Growth: Officially achieved "Exceeded Growth" status with an EVAAS Growth Index of 3.53.
• 10-Point Performance Score Jump: Elevated its School Performance Score from 57 to 67 ('C'), marking a full 10-point increase year-over-year.
• Composite Proficiency Gain: Reached an overall Grade Level Proficiency (GLP) composite of 61.3%, reflecting a 7.5 percentage-point increase from 2025 (53.8%).
• Mathematics Mastery: Recorded an impressive 67.3% GLP across Grades 3–5 Mathematics assessments.
• Reading Achievement: Achieved 61.6% GLP across Grades 3–5 Reading EOG exams.
• Science Success: Reached 59.4% GLP on the Grade 5 Science EOG assessment.

Roaring Forward Together

"When educators, scholars, and families align around a shared commitment to student success, remarkable growth follows," said Dr. Nakia Hardy, Superintendent of Franklin County Schools. "For Long Mill Elementary to exceed state growth standards while jumping ten points in performance score is a powerful testament to the hard work taking place in their classrooms every day. The Lion family has shown what it truly means to stay rooted in purpose and roar forward together."

Meghan Jordan, Chair of the Franklin County Board of Education, added: "Blueprint 2030 was established to ensure every elementary school in Franklin County provides a rigorous, supportive environment where students thrive. Long Mill Elementary’s outstanding performance validates our strategic focus on academic progress and continuous improvement across all grade levels."

About Franklin County Schools

Franklin County Schools (FCS) serves more than 7,900 students across 16 schools in one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing counties. Guided by its strategic plan, Blueprint 2030, and the district vision of "Building a stronger community one life-long learner at a time," FCS is committed to academic excellence, career readiness, and strong community partnerships. To learn more, visit www.fcschools.net.