Moore County Schools outlined plans to improve student behavior and address learning gaps at two low-performing elementary schools during the Board of Education’s Oct. 20 meeting.
Aberdeen Elementary Principal Bridget Johnson and Robbins Elementary Principal Renee Robbins attended to discuss their schools’ improvement plans, which outlined strategies to raise test scores, provide targeted student support, and strengthen instruction.
Both principals delineated plans to use student performance data to guide decisions and to work closely with district curriculum specialists to track progress throughout the school year.
Johnson reported that Aberdeen Elementary has improved its school performance grade over the past three years, rising from 37 in 2024 to 51 in 2025 and 54 in 2026. The school hopes to earn a grade of 60, equivalent to a C, by 2027 to exit low-performing status.
Aberdeen also met its expected growth target in 2025-26 and recorded a math growth index of 4.52.
Reading, however, remains a concern, but Johnson said reading performance has improved gradually over the past five years.
The school is angling to focus on foundational literacy skills in kindergarten through second grade, which Johnson said could help students perform better in later grades. A full-time reading interventionist, three part-time reading interventionists, and a part-time math interventionist have been hired to provide additional instruction to struggling students.
Teachers will review assessment results weekly and observe high-performing classrooms to identify effective instructional practices. Administrators also will use classroom walkthroughs to monitor student engagement and observe how well lessons correspond with state standards.
Behavior is another priority at Aberdeen. Johnson revealed that Aberdeen Elementary recorded about 100 office discipline referrals early in the current school year and continues to examine when and where incidents occur. Aggressive behavior was among the leading concerns, causing the school to reteach conflict resolution and other behavioral skills.
Students with frequent referrals have received targeted behavior plans, while some have moved into more intensive support that includes mentors and daily check-ins. Johnson said staff turnover also reportedly presents challenges because new employees must learn the school’s expectations.
Meanwhile, Robbins Elementary is focusing heavily on reading and overall academic proficiency. Principal Robbins stated that she hopes to see an increase in its grade-level proficiency by 10 percentage points, with particular attention to English language arts.
She said 44% of students were performing one year below grade level, which makes targeted instruction and intervention important parts of the school’s plan. Teachers are reviewing assessment data to identify foundational reading gaps, reinforce vocabulary instruction, and provide additional small-group support.
To improve classroom management, Robbins said staff completed two days of training in the “Capturing Kids’ Hearts” program before the school year began. This approach, she explained, involves greeting students, establishing classroom agreements, and holding students accountable for their behavior.
Robbins also has begun coaching teachers directly in classrooms.
She added that transportation can create attendance challenges for some families, though the school was not among those with the highest absenteeism rates last year. She said staff works with families to help students get to school when transportation problems arise.
Board of Education members praised both schools’ detailed plans and the collaboration they’ve observed between principals and school faculty and staff.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Written by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021. Photo by Sandhills Sentinel.
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