CPSD schools top ranks in test scores

Special to The Clinton Courier

With the release of the 2023 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) scores, the Clinton Public School District once again had scores that ranked the district in the top-tier, according to Mississippi Department of Education’s student performance data.

In addition to the district being in the Overall Top 10 in the state for scores in three subject areas (math, English Language Arts and science), several schools had exemplary grade-level scores that placed them in the top ranks.

Clinton Junior High School’s (CJHS) eighth-grade students ranked first in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math, as well as fourth in the state on the eighth-grade MAAP science test.

CJHS principal Tamikia Billings praised her staff’s efforts towards continuing to grow students, pushing them to succeed.

“They continue to work extremely hard as a team to support and challenge our students while providing quality instruction each day,” she said.

CJHS seventh graders placed sixth statewide on ELA test, and eighth on the math MAPP test.

Eastside Elementary hit the first-place ranking for math by both the fourth- and the fifth-grade students. Fifth graders also ranked third in the state on the fifth-grade MAAP science test.
Unlike ELA and mathematics, which are tested every year, science scores come strictly from testing students in fifth grade and eighth grade.

“Every team member plays an integral role in achieving academic success for the students of Eastside,” said Eastside Principal Mandy Taylor. “Our teachers go the extra mile to provide quality instruction during school hours while also providing resources for parents and families to help reinforce skills at home.”

Fourth-grade ELA scores at Eastside put them third statewide, and fifth-grade ELA scores place them eighth.

Lovett Elementary, the district’s sixth-grade school, ranked fifth in English Language Arts (ELA) and eighth in math.

“I’m extremely proud of the gains the teachers and students at Lovett made this past year,” said Lovett principal Dr. Michael Pope. “We made some instructional changes last year which increased our academic press and certainly made a positive difference.”

Pope said the intentional changes produced a 28-point jump in overall growth. He said the numbers reflect more than the specific measurements linked to assessed subjects.

The youngest Arrows to take state tests also showed out. Third-grade students at Northside Elementary ranked seventh in math statewide, and eighth in ELA.

Taylor said the district’s success is a reflection on the districtwide team effort found on each campus. The secret, she says, lies in the teachers’ ability and willingness to work collaboratively with each other and the parents.

Pope said this year’s success is something to celebrate, but there is always room for future growth.

“We are never done growing,” he said, “and I fully expect to see even greater gains this school year.”