MARSHALL - Madison County Schools is touting student achievement based on the 2025–2026 North Carolina Department of Public Instruction's End-of-Grade and End-of-Course assessment results.
Across the district, the combined End-of-Grade and End-of-Course results show a 6% increase in proficiency from the 2024–2025 school year to the 2025–2026 school year. In a Sept. 3 release, Madison County Schools said this growth represents the dedication, determination and hard work of students, educators, administrators, families and community partners.
"Even more encouraging, every school in Madison County Schools demonstrated an increase in proficiency, reflected in both its Performance Composite and School Performance Grade. This districtwide growth is a tremendous
accomplishment and demonstrates what can happen when an entire community remains committed to student success," the school system said in the release.
Madison County Schools recognizes three schools that earned a School Performance Grade of B: Madison Early College High School, Madison High School and Mars Hill Elementary School.
Madison High School and Mars Hill Elementary received a B grade after receiving Cs from the 2021-22 through the 2024-25 school years.
“While we are proud of the numbers, we are even more proud of the people behind them,” said Superintendent Lisa Gahagan. “Our students continue to show up, work hard, overcome challenges and give their very best."
Brush Creek Elementary School, Hot Springs Elementary School and Madison Middle School received C grades.
According to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction's 2025-26 school year grade dashboard, Madison County Schools saw 62% of students — 1,658 of its 2,674 students tested in all subjects and grades — scored as grade level proficient (Level 3 or above).
This figure is an increase of nearly 6 points from 2024–25, and is nearly 3 points above the state rate, according to DPI's dashboard.
Additionally, Madison High School achieved a graduation rate of 89%, and Madison Early College High School exceeded a 95% graduation rate.
“This data is evidence of the hard work happening in our classrooms and throughout our schools,” Gahagan said. “We know that behind every percentage point is a student who has learned something new, a teacher who refused to give up, a staff member who provided encouragement, and a family or community member who continued to support our schools.”
In the release, Gahagan said the administration will celebrate the progress, but also knows that the team still has work to do.
"Our teachers and staff show up every day with a commitment to helping every student grow and succeed," Gahagan said. "Our families and community continue to support our schools in countless ways. We can all be proud of these results. Our students deserve our very best every single day. We will continue to 'Make It Happen' in Madison County Schools."
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Madison County Schools sees growth in state assessments
