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Philadelphia Public School District Achieves “B” Rated Accountability Score

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

High Performing School District!

 

Philadelphia Public School District Achieves “B” Rated Accountability Score: A Remarkable and Historic Leap in Academic Performance

 

Philadelphia, MS — August 26, 2024 — The Philadelphia Public School District is thrilled to announce a significant and historic advancement in academic performance, as it has achieved a “B” rating for the 2023-24 school year and is considered to be a High Performing School District according to the Mississippi Department of Education. This achievement marks a dramatic turnaround for the district, which was classified as a failing district in 2019 and has made remarkable strides to reach this new milestone.

 

The Mississippi State Board of Education is set to officially approve the grades, reflecting an impressive overall score of 630 for the district. This represents a substantial 40-point increase from last year’s score and places the district just 38 points shy of an A rating. This noteworthy progress underscores the district's ongoing commitment to academic excellence and student success.

 

Key Highlights:

 

  • Philadelphia Elementary School has demonstrated exceptional growth with a 6-point increase, achieving a B rating with a score of 435. The school is now just 7 points away from securing an A rating, showcasing its dedication to advancing student achievement. This is the first “B” rating in the history of the accountability system.

 

  • Philadelphia High School also showed commendable improvement, achieving a score of 630, which represents a C rating and is only 18 points from attaining a B

 

  • The district’s science scores have soared above state averages for the 2023-24 school year, marking an increase for the third consecutive Notably, Philadelphia Elementary School ranked 5th in the State of Mississippi in science, highlighting its outstanding performance in this critical subject area.

 

  • There has been a significant increase in the percentage of students being proficient in math and reading, along with a rise in the percentage of students demonstrating growth in these areas compared to the 2023 accountability results.

 

Superintendent Dr. Shannon Whitehead commented on this milestone, stating, “We are immensely proud of our students, administrators, teachers, and staff for their relentless hard work and dedication. This High Performing B rating reflects the collective effort to foster a supportive and challenging learning environment. Our focus remains on continuous improvement and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

 

As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we invite the entire community to join us in recognizing this incredible achievement. The Philadelphia Public School system is committed to providing a high-quality education that empowers our students to reach their full potential and succeed in their academic endeavors.

 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to this success, and we look forward to continuing our journey towards excellence in education.”

 

Pastor Harold Coburn , school board of trustees chairman, gave a reflection from the school board trustees. "As the school board president, I am incredibly proud to announce that our school district has achieved a historic high-performing rating. This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, staff, and administrators. I want to thank everyone involved for their unwavering commitment to excellence in education. This achievement not only reflects positively on our district but also demonstrates our collective passion for providing the best possible learning environment for our students. I am truly honored to be part of such a remarkable educational community. Let’s continue to support our school community. It’s Always A Great Day To Be A Tornado. "

 

The Philadelphia Public School District’s journey from a failing status to achieving a B rating illustrates a remarkable turnaround and sets a new standard for educational excellence. The district's focus on being data driven, the science of reading, embedding research based strategies in all subjects, and small group learning helped to contribute to the district’s instructional plan of success. The district remains committed to it’s mission of providing high-quality education and achieving even greater successes in the future.

 

 

 

Philadelphia Public School District – Inspiring Excellence, Achieving Success**

The Philadelphia Public School District is thrilled to announce a significant and historic advancement in academic performance, as it has achieved a “B” rating for the 2023-24 school year and is considered to be a High Performing School District according to the Mississippi Department of Education. This achievement marks a dramatic turnaround for the district, which was classified as a failing district in 2019 and has made remarkable strides to reach this new milestone.