Summary:
The Columbus Municipal School District in Mississippi serves 7 schools, including 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The district faces significant academic challenges, with most schools performing well below state averages on standardized tests. However, a few standout schools, such as Cook Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School, demonstrate that effective practices can be implemented to improve student outcomes.
The district's schools have a predominantly African American student population, and all students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high levels of economic disadvantage. Proficiency rates on the MAAP (Mississippi Academic Assessment Program) exams are generally low across the district, with most schools performing well below the state averages. For example, in 2023-2024, the district's 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 39.4%, compared to the state's 57.7%. Despite these challenges, the district's per-student spending and student-teacher ratios are generally lower than the state averages.
While the overall district performance is low, the standout performance of Cook Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School suggests that there may be effective practices or strategies being implemented at these schools that could be replicated across the district. Addressing the significant achievement gaps and providing students with the necessary resources and support to achieve proficiency at the same level as the state will be crucial for the Columbus Municipal School District to improve student outcomes.
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