Virginia education officials say five public schools in Petersburg have again been denied accreditation because of low test scores.

The state Department of Education said Thursday that four schools were denied accreditation for a third consecutive year, and one for the second year in a row. The results prompted the state Board of Education to direct Petersburg to provide an independently managed middle school program starting next year for all students who wish to attend.

Overall, 95 percent of Virginia's public schools are fully accredited. The department says that's the highest percentage since statewide testing in English, math, history and science began 10 years ago.