Newton County’s three public school districts all showed improvement on the 2019 State Accountability Report Cards released Tuesday by the Mississippi Department of Education. The annual report cards grade districts and schools on an A-F scale based on metrics including proficiency in core subjects, academic growth, college and career readiness and graduation rates.
For the 2019 school year, Union Public School District was given an A-rating, and improvement over the district’s B-rating in 2018. Students showed increased proficiency in English, math and U.S. history, as well as an increase in the graduation rate, 88.2 percent over 82.6 percent in 2018.
Union High School was given a B grade, with 745 points out of 1000. Assessments show the school had greater than 95 percent participation from students and 46.3 percent of the students met the college and career ready standards. Union Middle School was also given a B, scoring 418 points out of 700, and Union Elementary School was given an A rating, with 543 out of 700 points.
Newton County School District also increased from a B to an A-rating on the 2019 report cards. The district’s graduation rate rose from 85.9 percent in 2018 to 90.2 percent, as well as increases in English and math proficiency and college and career readiness.
Newton County High School received a B as well, with 640 out of 1000 points. Assessments showed 48.7 percent of students met the college and career ready standard, and participation was greater than 95 percent. Newton County Elementary School received an A rating with 472 out of 700 points possible.
2019 State Accountability data for Newton Municipal School District shows the district retained its C-rating from the 2018 school year; however, student proficiency increased in all core subjects, including U.S. history, which jumped from 37 percent in 2018 to 62.3 percent. NMSD also saw its graduation rate rise from 77.6 percent to 80 percent since the 2018 school year.
At Newton High School, 18.8 percent of students met the college and career ready standard, and participation was greater than 95 percent. NHS had a total of 648 points out of 1000 points possible, which is a B grade. N.H. Pilot Middle School was also a B, and Newton Elementary was given a C.
The 2019 State Accountability Report Cards are calculated each fall using data collected by Mississippi Department of Education. Among that data used are reading, math, history and science proficiency, academic growth, academic growth among the lowest 25 percent, graduation rates, college and career ready standards, student and teacher participation and state testing results.
