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VWSD drops to a “C” rated district
VWSD has received a C rating following new standards. Find out what this means for the district and its students.
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VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — The Vicksburg Warren School District has dropped to a “C” rating after years of receiving a “B” on the state accountability reports.
The district did improve in the overall grade and received 615 points in a possible 1000. Last year the district receive 607, but the district’s letter grade dropped due to increases in accountability standards.
According to records, in September of 2024, the Commission of School Accreditation discussed amending standards to align with state law. This would require raising the standards when proficiency rates exceed 75 percent or when 65 percent of schools or districts earn a grade of “B” or higher. In 2023, Mississippi schools and districts did just that.
Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, the Mississippi Department of Education is raising the accountability standards which will likely lead to lower A-F- grades when released in the Fall of 2026. The changes are designed to set a new baseline for improved performance. The new guidelines will include stricter cut scores, a new baseline for improved performance, a new “Mississippi Readiness Index” and eliminate the U.S. History assessment.
In simple terms the schools needed to earn more points to receive the same grade as in previous years.
VWSD leadership was aware the drop would likely occur for the district.
Earlier this year, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cedric Magee informed the school board of the likely decline.
“The updated model also places greater focus on college and career readiness. This includes factors such as performance on national assessments, earning industry certifications, participation in advanced courses, and both four-year and five year graduation rates,” said Dr. Magee. “In addition, the model gives more weight to long-term outcomes that show whether students are prepared for life after high school.”
According to the district, the 2025-26 school year will serve as a new starting point of baseline for the district meaning the year cannot be directly compared to previous years.
“A change in the district’s grade does not necessarily mean performance has declined-it often reflects the higher expectations set by the state,” said Dr. Magee.
The only individual school in the district to receive an “A” rating was Bovina Elementary School. Dana Road Elementary School and Vicksburg Intermediate School both received “B” ratings.
Schools receiving a “C” letter grade were Bowman Avenue Elementary School, Redwood Elementary School, Sherman Avenue Elementary School, South Park Elementary School, Warren Central High School, Warren Central Intermediate School and Warrenton Elementary School.
Schools within the district receiving a “D” letter grade were Beechwood Elementary School, Vicksburg High School, Vicksburg Junior High School and Warren Central Junior High School.
Click the link below for the list of scores from across the state.
https://mdek12.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2026/10/Accountability-Results-by-District-2026.pdf
