Accountability ratings for Mississippi public schools were considered official on September 17 after the State Board of Education met.
New Albany School District (NASD) is among the 54 school districts that have earned the honor of “A Rated School District” and has earned the A Rating for six consecutive years.
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 has the distinction of being an ‘A’ Rated District for the six consecutive year, we are already hard at work determining how we can better serve our students and our community through an intense focus on instruction that meets the needs of all learners,” said Tony Cook, Superintendent. “This is a great school district with a very supportive community and we are going to keep working to be an elite district in the state.”
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) has maintained an “A” rating for the past 6 years while be recognized as a(n): National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse School; Apple Distinguished School; Lu Model School for MS; Readable English Model School for Mississippi; Leader in Me School; and, Arts in the Classrooms School.
“For the past six years, our 3rd and 5th grade mathematics scores at the elementary have been in the Top 15 schools consistently, while 5th grade science has also consistently remained in the Top 15,” explained Gwyn Russell, Assistant Superintendent. “We are especially pleased with the assessment results we experienced with our English Learners students on the English Language Proficiency Test this past school year,” Russell added.
New Albany Middle School earned a “B” rating and showed increased proficiency in both mathematics and science.
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) also earned a “B” rating and showed increased proficiency in biology. The acceleration component reflected 140 high school students being enrolled in dual enrollment/dual credit classes during the 2023-2024 school year and accumulating 1,219 hours. These students were enrolled in 1-7 courses during the school year. Dual enrollment, which is offered at no cost to students and their families, is provided for students who meet enrollment requirements and are interested in earning college credit.
“We are pleased to retain the distinction of being an “A” rated school district and are so proud of our students, teachers, and administrators for their successes in all aspects of the school day. Our students are very fortunate to be a part of a school district and community that supports athletics, fine arts, CTE, STEM, and workforce development,” Cook added.
