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VICKSBURG WARREN SCHOOL DISTRICT OUTPACES STATE AVERAGE SCORE BY TWENTY POINTS ON KINDERGARTEN READINESS ASSESSMENT RESULTS

Bovina Elementary ranks second in state and Bowmar Avenue Elementary, fifth

November 11, 2018 - The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released the results of the fall 2018 assessment of kindergarten readiness on Friday.  Vicksburg Warren School District showed an increase in scores over last year, moving from an average score of 515 to a 521. The state average was 501, dropping slightly from last year.

“With the school board’s dedication to early learning and the expansion of our Pre-K classes from four to seventeen, we expected to see a rise in our scores and we are thrilled to see this steady increase.” stated VWSD Superintendent Shealy. “The hard work of our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers and assistants is to be celebrated today.”

The Kindergarten Readiness Assessment evaluates early literacy skills such as the ability to recognize letters and match letters to their sounds and a student’s recognition that print flows from left to right.  

Bovina Elementary had the second highest average in the state, scoring a 607. Bowmar Avenue was fifth in the state with an average score of 585.  Bovina principal Miki Ginn credited the accomplishment to “dedicated teachers and assistants that come ready to give their all to the students each and every day. Parents make a big difference, too, we couldn’t do it without them.”

Overall, the district scored better than 82 percent of all of the districts in the state, with six of its eight elementary schools, Beechwood, Bovina, Bowmar, Redwood, South Park and Warrenton,  besting the state average. Two others landed within ten and 16 points of the state average.

On Monday, November 5, 2018, the Vicksburg Warren School District celebrated the beginning of major renovations and additions at Vicksburg High School made possible by the passage of an $83 million facilities bond issue in March of this year. All schools in the District will receive upgrades based on needs and the Vicksburg High School upgrades will cost approximately $37 million.

The project will provide much needed updates to the building to support the school district’s mission of graduating all students college, career and life prepared. The plan, designed by Dale Bailey Architects of Jackson, MS, features a new secure glass forum at the main entrance and aligns with the school district’s transformation of its high schools into college and career academies.

Additions and improvements add 21st century learning spaces and will include new lab space, a mock courtroom, an entrepreneur lab, an aquaponics lab, student leadership lounge, media center and a student run store and credit union.  Student and staff safety were also considered in the renovations and secure entries and improved communication systems are planned for the building.

Click here to see more photos and to read the press release.