- Results show over 50% of Mississippi schools and districts scored a B or higher.
Assessment scores for public school districts and schools across show over 50% scored a B or higher under the newly established cut scores.
This was the first year that schools and districts were assessed on more stringent guidelines, which were mandated as part of state law. That law states when 75% of students score proficient or 65% of schools or districts score a B or higher the standards must be raised. Mississippi’s schools reached the 65% threshold in 2023 when 71% of districts and 74% of schools reached the mark.
“Raising academic standards is required by state law because it is an essential part of ensuring Mississippi students and schools continue to improve academically each year,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Lance Evans said.
The new cut score standards were approved in November of 2025 and went into effect this school year.
Schools and districts are scored on a point system, with elementary and middle schools ranked on a 700 point scale, while high schools are scored on a 1,000 point scale.
Of the Mississippi’s 148 school districts, 20.9% (31 districts) scored an A, 29.7% (44) scored a B, 31.8% (47) received a C, and 14.2% (21) scored a D. Three school districts, or 2%, received an F.
One charter school and one public school did not have grades to report at press time.
Corinth School district was not included because they administer the Cambridge assessment in addition to the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program.
“They have been approved by the State Board to utilize the Cambridge data in lieu of the MAAP, and we do not get that in until later in the year, so their accountability grade is assigned after all grades for other districts are assigned,” Chief Accountability Officer Dr. Paula Vanderford described.
It was noted that even though some schools performed the same or a bit higher on the assessment than the prior year, there were some that received lower grades due to the higher cut scores.
Yazoo City School District, a district of transformation due to continued low performance scores, received an F for the second consecutive year. Wilkinson County School District, another district of transformation for financial reasons, also scored an F this year.
Three other districts of transformation – Okolona, Holmes County Consolidated, and Noxubee – all received a C. Humphreys County, another district of transformation, scored a D.
“Improving districts that have faced challenges for many years takes time, and there are no quick fixes,” Evans said. “Holmes County Consolidated and Noxubee County school districts have shown what sustained effort can produce. I am confident that all Districts of Transformation will continue to make progress toward higher student outcomes over the long term.”
To review district and school accountability scores, click here.
