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EDEN — Rockingham County students continue to make gains, but many still aren’t performing at grade level, according to the state’s annual accountability report of schools.

The N.C. Department of Public Instruction released its ABCs of Public Education report on Thursday. It shows how students performed on end-of-the year and end-of-course tests taken in grades 3 through 12.

Depending on the results, the state gives schools designations ranging from “honor schools of excellence” to “low performing.”

Some highlights:

• In Rockingham County, 24 of 26 schools met expected academic growth.

• Rockingham County Early College High School was designated an Honor School of Excellence, the highest designation. That used to earn teachers bonuses, but the state eliminated those three years ago because of budget constraints.

• Fewer than 80 percent of students at 19 schools tested on grade level.

• Fewer than 60 percent of students tested on grade level at Moss Street and Draper elementary schools. At Lawsonville Elementary in Reidsville, only 53 percent of students tested at grade level, the worst result in the district.

• Four schools will be under sanctions this year: Lawsonville Avenue, Williamsburg, Lincoln and Draper elementary schools. That can include offering free tutoring or letting families send their child to another school.

There were bright spots, however, even for schools under sanctions such as Reidsville’s Williamsburg Elementary, where students produced higher test scores for the third year in a row, improving 15.4 percent since 2008.

“You have to explain to your staff there can’t be any misconceptions about the challenges they’re up against,” said Williamsburg Principal Erselle Young.

Young started 30-minute reading and math sessions four days a week with students, grouping them by proficiency level. That type of targeted improvement is what Superintendent Rodney Shotwell wants to see at every school.

“Any time we have a school that’s struggling, we always evaluate where the weaknesses are, and we find the support that they might need and we give it to them,” Shotwell said.

That often includes instructional coaches, typically former teachers who help teachers come up with classroom strategies. The district also contracts with a consulting firm that often uses former principals to work with teachers.

Contact J. Brian Ewing at 627-4881, Ext. 120, or brian.ewing@news-record.com