WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — A recently published school feasibility study in Williamsburg is raising an alarm for parents and school leaders alike.
The study found Williamsburg City students are performing worse than James City County students in every academic category despite receiving the same education, as both groups are in the same school division.
“It's disheartening to see that our children aren’t performing at the same levels that James County students are. Which is hard to fathom, because we are one school district... why aren't the performances the same?” Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons asked.
The difference is sometimes in the double digits:
- For Algebra, Williamsburg City students tested at 61%, compared to James City County's 80%.
- For 3rd Grade Reading, Williamsburg City students tested at 59%, compared to James City County's 71%.
- For Chemistry, Williamsburg City students tested at 40%, compared to James City County's 65%.
According to the study, these numbers “suggest a potentially greater need for targeted support and resources to address economic disparities.”
It's something some Williamsburg parents said alarms them.
"It's not surprising because kids' educations is based on their backgrounds," said Valerie Smallwood. "I think that if you've got a school situation in which the kids are not doing good, you should mix the bad with the good so that they can help each other to get a friendship and learn."
School leaders said they want to be clear that the feasibility study is not a recommendation to split the city and county into separate school divisions. Instead, they say it is a realistic look at the potential drawbacks -- and benefits -- if such a move were ever to occur.
Currently, the school division has signed a five-year agreement and no plans are in the works to separate.