Dana Road Elementary Becomes a Science of Reading School – One of Only Seven in the State

VICKSBURG, MS – Dana Road Elementary has been recognized as a Science of Reading School, one of only seven in the State of Mississippi for 2024.

According to MDE, “The Emerging SOR designation is for schools that have trained teachers in the science of reading, exemplified a change of instructional practices, and embodied a school culture that focuses on building skillful, strong readers in kindergarten through third grade. The SOR school designation may be awarded after a school has been an Emerging SOR school for two consecutive years.”

“It took a lot of work, primarily understanding the Science of Reading. Rallying around the concept, implementing the concept into the classroom; so the teachers took a lot of training,” said Assistant Principal Nakisha Davis. “They studied a lot as indicated in the ceremony, and they went into the classroom and put into practice what they learned and what they studied. And here’s our outcome today.”

Today’s Celebration

The celebration began at 9 a.m. with Miss Ivy Watkins opening the ceremony and winning over the crowd of students, parents, teachers, administrators including Superintendent Holloway and representatives from the Mississippi Department of Education. After the Pledge of Allegiance, both the Vicksburg High School Gators Marching Band and Cheer Team came to celebrate with Dana Road Elementary. Then the cheer team from Dana Road Elementary brought their moves to the room.

Five representatives from the Mississippi Department of Education were on hand to join in the awarding of the designation and banner denoting Dana Road Elementary as a Science of Reading School, one of only seven in the state.

“It takes a little encouragement, it takes a little inspiration, a little motivation. I’ve found that it goes a long way for our students. So, when I inspire them, when I push them, when we motivate them, they give their absolute best,” explained Asst Principal Nakisha Davis. “That goes for the staff as well. We have the opportunity to work with the best in the Vicksburg Warren School District. We are honored today at what has taken place and we are extremely excited.”

About Dana Road

Dana Road Elementary opened in 1999 as a K-4 school, and Vicksburg Intermediate was a 5th-6th grade “Mega-school.” At the time, the Intermediate schools housed all of the 5th-6th graders in the district, and the elementary schools still served as neighborhood schools for K-4th Grade. In the mid-2000s, 5th and 6th grade went back to neighborhood schools, and 4th grade moved over to VIS. Pre-K was added in 2007, with the 3rd grade moving to VIS in 2016. 

Dana road is in it’s fifth year as a Leader in Me school. The school earned its funding for Leader In Me from the Chamber of Commerce in the spring of 2014, and in 2017 the Vicksburg Warren School District became the first Leader in Me District in the country.

LaShonda Keyes is the leader and Principal at Dana Road Elementary.

Here are some additional photos from this morning’s event:

Watch some the performance of the event here.