Vicksburg Warren School District showed an increase in kindergarten readiness scores over last year in the latest Mississippi Department of Education results.

According to the MDE scores released Friday, VWSD moves from an average score of 515 to 521, while the state average dropped slightly to 501.

“With the school board’s dedication to early learning and the expansion of our Pre-K classes from four to 17, we expected to see a rise in our scores and we are thrilled to see this steady increase.” Chad Shealy, VWSD superintendent, stated in a press release. “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, while 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.

Excel by Five initiative

In addition to the district’s expansion of their Pre-K program, VWSD has partnered with the United Way to bring the Excel by Five initiative to the community. The initiative emphasizes the important roles parents and early childhood educators play in the lives of children during their most formative years — birth to five years old. Excel by Five has partnered with Merit Health River Region and other community organizations to provide resources to parents of young children. Most recently, a parent resource center was added at the Warren County Vicksburg Public Library.

“Educating our youngest citizens is important to the future of Warren County. It is only fitting that these great partners have locked arms to make sure that we are giving our kids what they need for successful lives.” Shealy said.  “I am excited to see what tomorrow brings!”