From the Classroom to Graduation: Franklin and Granville Students Continue to Make Gains

Students across Franklin and Granville counties are giving their communities something to celebrate as the newly released state accountability results show academic growth in both school districts.

The 2025-26 results showed higher proficiency, stronger school performance grades and academic growth.

Franklin County Reaches 10-Year Graduation High

For the 25-26 school year, Franklin County Schools’ four-year graduation rate climbed to 90.6%, the district’s highest rate in 10 years. This rate also exceeds its Blueprint 2030 goal of 90%. Franklin County Early College High School recorded a 100% graduation rate.

Other highlights include:

75% of its schools met or exceeded expected academic growth.
50.7% proficiency in Math 1, compared with the state average of 42.1%, placing the district second in the North Central Region.
59.4% proficiency in fourth-grade reading, above the state average of 57.4%.
70.5% proficiency in fifth-grade science, above the state average of 67.7%.
Franklin County Early College earned an A performance grade
Bunn Elementary, Edward Best Elementary, Royal Elementary, Youngsville Elementary, Franklinton High and Louisburg Magnet High earned B grades.

Superintendent Dr. Nakia Hardy said it wouldn't have been possible without students, educators, and families working together towards a shared goal.

“This success is the direct result of a community that has aligned its daily work with a shared, strategic mission,” Hardy said.

Granville County Continues Three Years of Growth

For the 25-26 school year, Granville County Public Schools continues to progress, reaching its highest student proficiency level in more than seven years.

Overall proficiency increased to 46.5%, up 3.4 percentage points from the previous year.

Other highlights include:

12 of 13 schools either maintained or improved their proficiency.
9 of 13 schools earned a C or higher, compared to 6 of 17 schools 3 years ago.
8 of 13 schools met or exceeded expected academic growth, compared to 6 of 17 3 years ago.
Granville Early College High School earned another A
South Granville High School earned a B for the second time in school history
J.F. Webb High School earned a C.
For the third consecutive year, GCPS was not identified as a low-performing district.

“These results represent real and sustained progress for GCPS,” Superintendent Dr. Stan Winborne said. “Lasting improvement is not built on one good year. It comes from making steady progress over time.”

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