School accreditation ratings for 2002-03 are based on student achievement on Standards of Learning (SOL) tests in English, mathematics, history/social science, and science administered during 2001-02 or an average of achievement during the three most recent years. Schools receive one of the following ratings:

A school is fully accredited if students achieve pass rates of 70 percent or above in all four content areas.

A school receives this rating if students achieve a pass rate of less than 70 percent in one or more subject areas but meet or exceed all of the following benchmarks:

• English: 66 percent
• Mathematics: 65 percent
• History/Social Science: 50 percent
• Science (Elementary and Middle): 66 percent
• Science (High School): 65 percent

Schools that meet or exceed the above benchmark pass rates are counted as meeting the commonwealth's achievement objectives for the year.

A school receives this rating if pass rates in one or more subject areas are below the benchmarks listed above unless the school is Accredited with Warning.

A school receives this rating if pass rates are 20 or more points below the benchmarks listed above in one or more area.