After being under state conservatorship for the 2005-2006 school year, students in the North Bolivar School District scored higher on assessment tests, earning exemplary and successful ratings from the Mississippi Department of Education.

The district was released from state conservatorship at the start of the 2006-2007 school year and test scores fell in two of the district’s three schools.

North Bolivar School District results for the 2006-2007 year are: Broad Street High School Level 3 Successful; Brooks Elementary Level 2 Under Performing; and Shelby Middle School Level 3 Successful. Despite the ratings of the individual schools, Supt. Ronzy Humphrey emphasized that the school district overall performed well.

“During the 2006-2007 school year, the overall achievement level of students was maintained in the North Bolivar School District,” said Humphrey in a written statement to The Bolivar Commercial.

“Overall, students achieved at a Level 3 both during the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 school years. Brooks School and Shelby Middle School became Level 4 schools in 2005-2006 because of the tremendous growth made by students.

“Both schools were Level 1 Priority schools the year before. Brooks School fell to a Level 2 school and Shelby Middle School fell to a Level 3 school this year mainly because of the tremendous growth obtained last year, they failed to make enough growth this past year,” he said.

“Adequate Yearly Progress was made at Brooks School, Shelby Middle School and Broad Street High School this past year.

“At Brooks School, progress was made in most areas. Improvements must be made in reading and through professional development, strategies are being put in place to improve reading achievement. We anticipate improvements in reading at Brooks this year. At Shelby Middle School, the seventh grade math achievement level was among the top 10 in the state.

“We are being proactive in working with staff in professional development to develop innovative strategies to improve student achievement.”

Broad Street High School has been a Level 3 successful school since the 2004-2005 year. For the 2004-2005 year, Brooks Elementary was rated a Level 1 Low Performing School. During 2004-2005, Shelby Middle School was also rated a Level 1 Low Performing School. Due to the poor performance of both the elementary and middle schools, the state had to come and in and take over the district by placing it under conservatorship.

For the 2005-2006 year, after being placed under state conservatorship, Brooks Elementary School jumped to a Level 4 Exemplary School. Shelby Middle School also benefited from the new leadership, rising from a Level 1 to a Level 4 Exemplary School.

Current ratings for other area school districts are: Benoit School District, Ray Brooks School is rated as a Level 2 Under Performing School. Cleveland School District ratings are: Bell Elementary Level 3 Successful; Cleveland High School Level 5 Superior Performing; Cypress Park Elementary Level 4 Exemplary; D.M. Smith Middle School Level 3 Successful; East Side High School Level 3 Successful; Hayes Cooper Center Level 5 Superior Performing; Margaret Green Jr. High Level 4 Exemplary; Nailor Elementary Level 3 Successful; Parks Elementary Level 3 Successful; and Pearman Elementary Level 5 Superior Performing. Mound Bayou School District ratings are: I.T. Montgomery Elementary School Level 3 Successful; and John F. Kennedy Memorial High School Level 3 Successful. Shaw School District results are: McEvans School Level 3 Successful; and Shaw High School Level 3 Successful.

The West Bolivar School District is rated as: Elementary School Level 4 Exemplary; Middle School Level 3 Successful; and High School Level 1 Low Performing. Northern Sunflower County are: Ruleville Central Elementary Level 2 Under Performing; Ruleville Central High School Level 3 Successful; Ruleville Middle School Level 3 Successful.

Detailed information regarding each school district, scores and ratings is available at www.mde.k12.ms.us.