Oak Ridge Schools is proud to be a top public school system in Tennessee that successfully prepares students for college, career, and life success. In tandem with our emphasis on literacy as well as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses, we offer extensive options in the fine arts, world languages, journalism, and career and technical education. Fine arts instruction occurs at all grade levels, culminating in robust high school options including multiple bands, orchestras, vocal music, Masquers theater productions, and visual arts coursework. We offer college credit in fine arts, world languages, and career and technical education (CTE) courses through Roane State Community College, Pellissippi State Community College, and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Additionally, in CTE courses, students are earning recognized industry certifications that will help them be competitive in high-skill, high-wage occupations. In the 2018-2019 school year, students earned a record 308 industry certifications including Microsoft, OSHA, American Welding Society, Automotive Service Excellence, Adobe, AutoDESK, Pharmacy Technician, and Certified Nursing Assistant.
In 2019, Oak Ridge High School students took 29 different AP subjects in 2019. This is one of the highest number of offerings in the state. To date, 718 exams have been scored, and of those exams, 69% scored a 3 or higher. In 10 subjects, 90% scored a 3 or higher: Calculus BC = 93%; Computer Science Principles = 92%; Chinese = 100%; English Literature = 90%; European History = 92%; Physics C Electricity = 100%; Physics C Mechanical = 100%; AP Seminar = 100%; Spanish =100%; and Studio Art = 100%.
In addition to these extensive offerings, Oak Ridge Schools is pleased to remain a top academic school district in Tennessee. Oak Ridge students made more than expected growth in their tested subjects, generating an overall TVAAS growth score of 5 for the district. District growth scores of 5 were achieved for literacy, numeracy, and the combination of literacy and numeracy. Other big wins across the district in English Language Arts (ELA) included growth scores of 5 for grades 4 and 5 and cumulatively in grades 3-8; English I and II, and high school end-of-course literacy. In mathematics, we achieved growth scores of 5 in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and geometry, and cumulatively in grades 3-8. Our high school ACT composite growth score was also a 5. Of special note, achievement in ELA proficiency in grades 9-12 increased significantly from 45.6% in 2018 to 50.1% in 2019. Additionally, Oak Ridge boasts three Reward Schools this year: Glenwood and Woodland Elementary Schools and Jefferson Middle School. We are proud of these stellar achievements, and also recognize areas for increased growth, particularly in ELA in grades 3 and 6, in math in grade 8 and Algebra II, and overall in social studies, a subject that underwent significant changes in standards this past year. Other areas in which we are committed to continuous improvement include reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing demographic subgroup and English learner performance. We continue to request support from the entire community to increase school attendance, limiting non-urgent medical care to after school hours, taking family vacations during school breaks, and ensuring student drivers come to school regularly and on time. We appreciate the ongoing support of our community that helps Oak Ridge Schools continue our longstanding tradition of excellence in education.
