WILLIAMSTON, MARTIN COUNTY – Martin County Schools is celebrating a historic year of progress following the release of the state’s newly verified 2025–26 school performance data. The results reflect significant gains in school performance, student achievement, and graduation rates across the district—and mark a new chapter in the story of Martin County Schools.

For the first time in district history, three Martin County Schools earned a B letter grade—a milestone that represents years of intentional work, unwavering commitment, and a belief that Martin County students can achieve at the highest levels.

Williamston Primary School, Rodgers Elementary School, and Martin Innovative Early College High School each earned a B rating for the 2025–26 school year.

The historic results also moved Martin County Schools out of low-performing status for only the second time in history, another significant milestone for the district and its students.

“These results belong to our students, teachers, administrators, staff, families, community partners, and our Board of Education,” said Dr. Michelle White, Superintendent. “This is the result of years of hard work, intentional focus, and a collective belief in what our students are capable of achieving. We have been building the systems, strengthening instruction, increasing opportunities, and raising expectations—and our students are showing us what is possible.”

While the letter grades provide an important measure of progress, the story behind the numbers is even more significant. Martin County Schools is experiencing a level of achievement and growth that our district has not seen before.

Highest Recorded Achievement Data

Riverside Middle School made history this year, achieving its highest performance in school history. Riverside posted an achievement score of 52.8, a remarkable 13.4-point increase from the previous year—the highest achievement score since the school opened in 2012. In addition, the school moved from an overall performance grade of 45 in 24-25 to a 60 in 25-26, demonstrating a 15-point improvement. For the first time ever, Riverside also moved out of low-performing status and earned its highest letter grade in school history. The school’s success was further highlighted by exceeding growth expectations and ranking among the top 5–10% of schools statewide for growth.  

Rodgers Elementary School also celebrated a historic year, recording its highest achievement score in school history at 66.8, along with its highest numerical school performance grade ever—a 70. For the first time in its history, Rodgers earned a coveted B letter grade, marking a significant milestone in the school’s continued progress and achievement. 

South Creek Middle School, which merged with Riverside Middle School this year to form Martin County Middle School, recorded its highest performance grade since 2017-2018 with a 50. This is an 8-point improvement over last year. 

South Creek Elementary has recorded its highest letter grade in history, moving from a 39 F in 2018-2019 to a 53 D this year (only two points from a C). This is the highest score recorded for an elementary school in the South Creek District. 

Martin County High School demonstrated that progress is not a one-year accomplishment—it is an ongoing commitment. Following the first full year after the consolidation of South Creek and Riverside High Schools, MCHS sustained the strong performance established last year while also navigating a curriculum adoption year. The school’s achievement score increased for two consecutive years, while maintaining an overall numerical performance grade of 62 for the second consecutive year.

This sustained performance is an important milestone for Martin County High School. After the historic gains of the first full year following consolidation, the school has demonstrated that progress is not “one and done.” It is built through consistency, intentionality, and a continued commitment to students. Maintaining its highest performance level through another year of transition shows that the systems and practices put in place are taking root and creating lasting progress for MCHS students.

In addition, all Martin County Schools Achievement Data for grades 3-8 posted the highest recorded numbers ever in the district for 2025-2026 at 49.2.

Martin County has the highest graduation rate in Martin County Schools history with 93.4%. This represents 23.9 percentage points growth from 69.5% in 2017-2018. 

Challenge Ahead

This year, district leaders will strive to learn from the successes of the three B schools and other areas that experienced growth to help strengthen schools that did not excel in the 2025-2026 school year. 

E.J. Hayes Elementary School lost traction from 2024-2025, slipping from a 42.7 to a 35.3 achievement score.  Jamesville Elementary School also declined from a record high 64.7 in 2024-2025 to a 55.6 last year. 

“We are already studying what worked in some of our most successful settings to determine how those practices can support schools that experienced a decline this year,” said Dr. White. “At E.J. Hayes, we have new leadership in place and a renewed focus on instruction, student achievement, and supporting our staff and students. We will provide both schools with focused support, closely monitor progress, and make adjustments when necessary.“We celebrate our successes, but we also own our challenges. We will use the data to get better, just as we have done to achieve the historic progress we are celebrating this year.” 

Graduation Rate on the Rise

Another source of great celebration in this week’s data release for Martin County Schools is the district’s climbing graduation rate. The district’s 93.4% graduation rate for 2025-2026 is the highest recorded since this accountability model began in 2013-2014, exceeding the prior year’s 80.3% rate by 13.1 percentage points, and surpassing the record low of 69.5 in 2017-2018 by 23.9 percentage points.

The improving graduation rate represents far more than a number or a data point; it reflects the district’s continued progress in preparing students for successful lives beyond high school.

“The increase in our graduation rate tells us that more of our students are leaving Martin County Schools prepared for what comes next,” said Dr. White. “Will we ever be satisfied that we are doing enough? Absolutely not. But this continued progress confirms that we are moving in the right direction. Our goal is 100 percent, and once we reach it, the expectation will be to sustain it. Every student deserves the opportunity to graduate prepared for the future, and we will continue working until that expectation becomes the standard.”

Martin County Schools continues to dramatically expand postsecondary opportunities for students through its partnership with Martin Community College. The district has seen a remarkable 257% increase in dual credits earned, rising from 783 credits in 2022–23 to 2,794 credits in 2025–26. Even more significantly, the number of courses successfully completed has increased by 251%, growing from 256 courses in 2022–23 to 899 courses successfully completed in 2025–26.

These gains represent more than impressive numbers—they demonstrate that more Martin County students are successfully accessing college-level coursework, earning meaningful college credit, and building a stronger foundation for life after high school.

Martin County Schools will build on this momentum with a continued focus on strong instruction, targeted support, college and career pathways, and meaningful partnerships with families and the community. While the 2025–26 results represent a historic milestone for the district, they are not the destination. They are evidence of what is possible when we believe in our students, work with purpose, and remain committed to continuous improvement.

“We are proud of how far Martin County Schools has come, but we are even more excited about where we are going,” said Dr. White. “Our students deserve our very best every single day. We will celebrate this progress, learn from it, and use it to propel us forward. We are not finished. We are just getting started.”

Martin County Schools is Built on Purpose—and our students are showing the world what is possible.