Hampton City Schools Posts Gains 

Across Multiple SOL Assessment Areas

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) released data on the performance of students on Standards of Learning (SOL) assessments in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history/social studies for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Hampton City Schools students continued to demonstrate academic progress on Standards of Learning assessments during the 2025–2026 school year, with pass rates increasing in three of five core content areas, remaining steady in one, and declining by only one percentage point in another.

Compared with 2024–2025, mathematics increased from 76% to 78%, reading increased from 73% to 75%, and history/social studies increased from 70% to 71%. Writing remained steady at 75%, while science shifted slightly from 78% to 77%.

HCS also continued to perform strongly compared with Virginia overall. Students outperformed the state by 5 percentage points in mathematics, 6 points in science, and 1 point in history/social studies as well as reading. In writing, HCS was within 1 percentage point of the state pass rate.

The division’s four-year results demonstrate sustained progress across all core content areas. Since 2022–2023, HCS pass rates have increased by 6 percentage points in mathematics, 6 points in history/social studies, 5 points in reading, and 10 points in science. Writing demonstrated the largest increase of all assessment areas, rising 13 percentage points from 62% to 75% during that same period.

The division’s continued focus on equity is reflected in the performance of historically underrepresented student groups, many of whom exceeded statewide pass rates by significant margins. 

Among the strongest comparisons, Hispanic students exceeded the state by 22 percentage points in mathematics and 23 points in science, English learners exceeded the state by 19 points in mathematics and 20 points in science, and students in foster care exceeded the state by 26 points in science and 20 points in history/social studies.

Superintendent Dr. Raymond Haynes shares, “Our responsibility is to ensure that every student who enters Hampton City Schools has access to experiences that challenge them, inspire them, and help them discover what is possible for their future. From the earliest grades through graduation, we are intentionally building the knowledge, skills, confidence, and experiences our young people need to take their next step successfully. 

The Portrait of a Hampton Graduate represents who we want our students to become, not only academically prepared, but ready to communicate, collaborate, think critically, and contribute to their communities. As One Community, we have the opportunity to transform lives every day, and through Excellence with Intentionality, we will continue creating pathways for every student to thrive in college, careers, and life.”