All schools meet or exceed growth as districtwide proficiency rises for the third consecutive year, Lexington Senior High School earns its first B with a 91.7% graduation rate, and Lexington Middle School earns its first C.
Lexington City Schools is celebrating significant academic progress across the district following the release of 2025–2026 School Performance results.
Districtwide proficiency reached 51.3%, up from 45.2% in 2024–2025 and 42.8% in 2023–2024. The results represent an 8.5 percentage-point increase over three years and mark the third consecutive year of rising districtwide proficiency.
Adding to that progress, all Lexington City Schools included in the 2025–2026 accountability results met or exceeded growth.
“These results show meaningful academic progress across Lexington City Schools, and they reinforce the standard we are setting for what comes next,” said Superintendent Dr. Ron Anthony. “High expectations must be matched by accountability, and accountability must produce results for students. We are encouraged by the progress we are seeing across our schools. We will continue building on what is working, providing additional support where it is needed and moving with urgency to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
Lexington Senior High School Reaches Historic Milestones
Lexington Senior High School reached several historic milestones, earning its first B School Performance Grade and achieving its highest recorded overall achievement score and four-year graduation rate.
Overall achievement reached 68.0%, an increase of 8.7 percentage points in one year and 13.7 percentage points over three years. The school’s four-year cohort graduation rate climbed to a record 91.7%, compared with 83.7% in 2023–2024.
Academic gains extended across multiple measures. Math 3 proficiency reached 78.8%, up from 48.3% three years ago, while Biology proficiency increased from 35.3% to 60.7% during the same period. ACT and WorkKeys proficiency increased 9.1 percentage points over the previous year, and AP course proficiency increased 19.86 percentage points over two years, with 49.44% of students earning a score of 3 or higher.
“This is a defining moment for Lexington Senior High School and for the people who have remained committed to moving our school forward,” said Principal Dr. Jermaine Porter. “Our ‘Win the Day’ mindset challenges us to focus every day on what we can do to create stronger opportunities and outcomes for students. This milestone belongs to our students, educators, families and community. We are proud of what it represents, and we are focused on continuing to raise the standard.”
The school will celebrate the achievement with students, staff, families and community partners during an Academic Celebration on Friday, September 4, at 9:00 a.m.
Lexington Middle School Earns First C and Sustains Exceptional Growth
Lexington Middle School improved from a D to its first C School Performance Grade while Exceeding Growth for the second consecutive year.
Overall achievement increased from 42.1% to 51.5% in one year, a 9.4 percentage-point increase.
The school also recorded gains across mathematics, science and Reading. Overall Math proficiency reached 53.2%, Grade 6 Math reached 61.3%, and Grade 8 Science reached 66.8%. Grade 8 Reading increased from 32.8% in 2023–2024 to 53.0% in 2025–2026.
Elementary Schools Demonstrate Progress and Growth
Progress was also evident across the district’s elementary schools.
Charles England Elementary School improved from a D to a C School Performance Grade and returned to Met Growth. Overall achievement reached 47.3%, while its growth index moved from negative 6.07 to positive 1.33. Science proficiency reached 61.3%, an 11.3 percentage-point increase in one year.
Pickett Elementary School reached 46.0% overall achievement, its highest level in the most recent three-year period, and Met Growth. Reading improved for the second consecutive year, while the school also recorded gains in mathematics, science and among Hispanic and English Learner student groups.
Southwest Elementary Global Academy reached 54.4% overall achievement, continuing a three-year upward trajectory from 52.2% to 53.1% to 54.4%, while meeting growth expectations. Overall Math proficiency reached 59.0%, Grade 3 Reading improved 9.2 percentage points to 45.3%, and Grade 5 Science increased 10.6 percentage points to 59.8%.
Building on the Progress
The results provide Lexington City Schools with both accomplishments to celebrate and a clear direction for continued improvement.
District priorities for the 2026–2027 school year include strengthening early literacy, improving consistency in elementary mathematics, addressing Math 1 performance at the high school level and sustaining the progress occurring in middle and high school mathematics and science.
“Progress should raise expectations,” Anthony said. “We know where we are improving, we know where greater attention is needed, and we are committed to both. Our focus is on building on this progress and continuing to strengthen outcomes for students.”
Lexington City Schools will continue recognizing the students, educators, families and community partners contributing to the district’s progress while maintaining a focus on continued academic growth and stronger outcomes for every student.