The preliminary scores for Franklin High School’s most recent round of Standards of Learning tests are in, and the results are highly encouraging. Of the eleven different tests administered across 4 primary subjects (English, History, Science and Math), marked improvement was seen on eight. On six of the tests, the number of students who passed improved by at least ten percent.

So what can be taken away from these results? Even though the scores are unofficial and there are more tests to come later in the school year, it appears that the hard work put in at the school by its administrators, faculty and students is paying dividends. As noted by FHS principal Travis Felts in a recent interview with The Tidewater News, “We’re excited because there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

For a beleaguered school system and community who have been mired in month’s worth of frustrating news and controversy, seeing that light at the end of the tunnel is likely no small matter. Any measure of good news should provide hope for those who have a stake in the performance of Franklin’s schools. Felts also stated that, “We aren’t celebrating the victory yet. But we are feeling good about what we have accomplished.”

He has every right to, as do all of the teachers and students whose hard work has led to the improved results.