Accountability ratings for Mississippi public schools were considered official on September 28 after the State Board of Education met.
New Albany School District (NASD) is among the 57 school districts that have earned the honor of “A Rated School District” and is in the top 10% of school districts in the state.
Accountability is based on students mastering academic standards, students showing improvement from year to year, and students graduating on time. Also included in the rating is a district’s ability to prepare students to be career ready. This is noted in the acceleration component which takes into account dual enrollment and national industry ready certifications.
“While NASD is extremely proud of its academic success, we are also pleased with our success in preparing our students to be work and life ready,” said Dr. Lance Evans, Superintendent. “This is evident through our robust career and technical education, workforce development, and internship programming.”
The current accountability model was implemented during the 2013-2014 school year and has seen minor revisions since that time. The ratings are letter ratings A-F with “A” being defined as an excellent learning environment where students are being prepared for the nation’s workforce and post-secondary education.
Students in grades 3-8 are given tests in English language arts and mathematics each year. Science assessments are given to students in 5th grade and 8th grade. Students are assessed in the subjects of Algebra I, Biology, English II, and United States History at the high school level.
Elementary and middle school ratings are calculated on a 700 Point System and are based on proficiency and growth in English language arts and math; proficiency in science; and English Language progress among the English Language Learners within that school.
New Albany Elementary School (NAES) earned the distinction of “A Rated School” and showed increased proficiency in reading, math, and science and showed 84.9% growth in math which was a 7.6% increase from the previous year.
New Albany Middle School earned a “B” rating and showed increased proficiency in both mathematics and reading.
High school and school district ratings are calculated on a 1,000 Point System and are based on proficiency and growth in English language arts and math; proficiency in Biology and United States History; graduation rate; acceleration; college and career readiness; and the progress of English Language Learners.
New Albany High School (NAHS) earned the distinction of “A Rated School”. NAHS is ranked #16 out of 234 high schools in the state. NAHS’s graduation rate is 95.5% and has experienced a 13.5% increase in the past four years. The acceleration rate for NAHS was 91.5% due in part to national certification attainment and successful dual enrollment programming.
“Our high school increased by 79 points from the 2022 accountability ratings to this year’s 846-point accumulation,” explained Evans. “This is a substantial increase in the accountability model for the high school.”
“We are excited to retain the distinction of being an “A” rated school district and are so proud of our students, teachers, and administrators for their successes. We are very appreciative to our community for their continued support of our school district,” Evans added.
Evans also explained the importance of the school district being an “A” rated school district while also remaining focused on workforce development programming and STEM education initiatives and providing students opportunities in athletics, fine arts, and leadership activities.
