Test Scores Provide Information and Opportunity

     The Holly Springs School District recently received test data from last year and the rating from the State Department of Education. The state has made a lot of changes with state testing in order to give students in Mississippi an opportunity to compete nationally and globally. The state has changed its entire method for rating schools and is in the process of implementing more rigorous curriculums. In the past, the state assigned districts levels ranging from one to five. With the new system, the state will assign districts one of seven of the following labels: Star; High Performing; Successful; Academic Watch; At-Risk of Failing; Low Performing or Failing. In addition, the labels are based on three major areas: student achievement, growth, and graduation rate. This year, only two schools, Holly Springs Intermediate and Holly Springs Junior High, were included in the rating from the state.The high school was not included in the rating because of the growth component of the test. The high school will be included in the label next year. The students at the primary school do not take the test. State testing begins in 3rd grade. 

     An analysis of the test results for Holly Springs School District shows the district made significant improvements at both schools included in the state rating system. The Holly Springs Intermediate School moved a level and received the label Academic Watch. The Holly Springs Junior High increased significantly on the rating scale, but still fail three points short of moving out of the Failing status. Based on the achievement and growth from the two schools, the district received an overall rating of At-Risk of Failing. The school system is proud of the fact that both schools showed significant improvement and that none of our schools, or the district, is in school improvement. At the same time, the district knows that more improvement must be made.

     The Holly Springs School District believes that the results from the test data provide information but also provide another opportunity for all stakeholders to get involved and work together to improve the school system. The district will continue its focus of increasing student achievement as part of its mission, vision and GREAT goals. In addition, the district will implement extra measures to involve parents and members of the community in the process.

Mission: The mission of the Holly Springs School District is to educate students who can compete in the global community.

Vision: The vision of the Holly Springs School District is to increase student achievement until we are a star district with all star schools.