principal holding certificate in board room with board member with american flag behind them

Culpeper County High School (CCHS) has been honored with the 2024-2025 Virginia Board of Education’s Continuous Improvement Award for its outstanding progress in increasing student outcomes and reducing dropout rates over the past three years. The Culpeper County School Board celebrated this achievement during its December 9, 2024, meeting.

The award recognizes schools that demonstrate significant progress in student performance or graduation metrics. CCHS earned the distinction by meeting the third eligibility criterion:

  • An increase in the Graduation and Completion Index (GCI) for each of the past three years (2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024), with a total increase across the three years of four percent or more.

  • A decrease in the dropout rate for each of the past three years, with a total reduction of at least 15 percent from the first year’s rate.

Dr. Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Virginia Department of Education, recognized CCHS’s achievement, stating, “On behalf of the Virginia Department of Education, it is my honor to recognize the staff, students, and the community for providing high expectations that have resulted in positive educational outcomes for all students.”

The Virginia Board of Education’s Exemplar Performance Awards program highlights schools across the Commonwealth that exemplify high achievement, continuous improvement, or innovative practices. The award recipients were announced at the Board’s October 24, 2024, business meeting.

The School Board congratulated Dr. Soderholm and the students and staff of Culpeper County High School for their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.