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Friday, September 19, 2025
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🎓 Albemarle High Shows Major Progress
Principal Beverly Pennington delivered an update to the Albemarle City Council this week, highlighting academic growth and renewed school spirit at Albemarle High School.
- The school’s state letter grade improved from a D to a C, marking historic progress.
- ACT Work Keys scores jumped by an impressive 233%, helping raise the overall grade.
- The four-year graduation rate continues to climb, with students showing consistent growth in state-tested courses.
Pennington said:
“This is the result of a lot of hard work and determination, and a lot of buy-in from our students, staff, and parents. We are very pleased to now be a C school, and even more proud of the growth we’ve had.”
She added that Albemarle High became the first school in Stanly County since 2012 to both raise its grade and meet growth expectations in the same year.
👩🏫 Staffing Success
Staffing shortages have eased significantly:
- Two years ago, the school had a 33% vacancy rate in core subjects.
- Today, all positions are filled, with help from retired educators returning to the classroom.
- Only one part-time math role remains, covered by what Pennington described as “the best long-term sub anyone could ask for.”
🎺 The Band is Back
For the first time in years, Albemarle High once again has a marching band.
- In 2023, the school had no band teacher and only eight students in a makeshift program.
- Today, the school boasts 26 band members, making it the second-largest band in the district despite having fewer students than West Stanly.
“If you’ve been to a ball game this year, you’ve heard our pep band,” Pennington said proudly.
💡 College Credit in the Classroom
Thanks to a Golden LEAF Foundation grant, Albemarle High students can now take college-level electronics courses without leaving campus.
- All class seats were filled by Albemarle students.
- The program is offered in partnership with Stanly Community College.
“Our kids can walk down the hall and take electronics—it is phenomenal,” Pennington noted.
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