VWSD Student Made a Perfect Score on two State Tests

VICKSBURG, Miss. – Keng-Kenneth Smith, a seventh grader at Academy of Innovation, had perfect scores in both the ELA Exam and the math portion of the MAAP State Exam. Both tests were administered in the spring of 2024. Smith received the good news at the beginning of this school year.

Keng, the son of Kenneth and Lowanda Smith, is currently a 7th-grade student at the Academy of Innovation. He is also a member of the WCJH Little Blue Band under the leadership of Mr. Ratliff and Dr. McMullen. Smith recently made the WCJH Basketball Team under the leadership of Coach Swartz. Smith is a member of Greater Grove Street Missionary Baptist Church on Alcorn Drive under the leadership of our Pastor Reverend Dr. Casey Fisher. Keng is now a two-time State Champion in travel baseball and a two-time MVP in two different states, Winning over 20 championships over the last four years. He enjoys chess and is looking forward to joining the AOI Chess Club this year! 

2024 Exam Week

The week of April 22nd-April 26th, students across the Vicksburg Warren School District (VWSD) were preparing to take the MAAP STATE EXAM. On April 23, 2024, Beechwood Elementary administered the 1st half of the ELA exam, and on April 24, 2024, the 2nd half was administered. The math state test followed on the 25th of April and the VWSD staff received the scores on August 8. 

Mr. Ratliff, Keng-Kenneth Smith’s 7th grade AOI math teacher, gave him his MAAP state scores on August 8, 2024.

“There was only one perfect score in that math class and that score belongs to Mr. Keng,” said Mr. Ratliff. Ratliff proceeded to let the class know Smith also made a perfect score on his ELA! 

Lowanda Smith, Keng’s mother, went to visit Mr. Adams, the Beechwood Elementary Principal who confirmed his test scores.

“Yes he did in fact make a perfect score of 699 on Math and 699 on ELA, I knew he could do it. I never doubted he would do it. I’m proud of him!” ,said Mr. Adams.

Keng also made a perfect score of 599 on the MAAP math in 5th grade.

Keng-Kenneth Smith, a G. A. T. E. S. student, under the leadership of Ms. Sanders in Beechwood Elementary, graduated in May of 2024 with the following certificates:

First Semester

• Highest average in Science
• Highest average in Math
• Highest average in ELA
• all A’s for the 1st and 2nd 9 weeks

Second semester

• Participation award from the Society of American Military Engineers Vicksburg Post
• Top Ten Award for the District Chess Tournament in G. A. T. E. S.
• The highest average in Math and the highest average in ELA
• All A’s the entire year

Additionally, Smith was on the A/B honor roll from grade 1st through grade 6th at Beechwood Elementary. 

“Keng is a leader! We are truly proud of Keng and his many accomplishments at such a young age. We pray he will continue to strive for perfection in everything he does,” said his mother Lowanda Smith.

Editor’s Note: Lowanda Smith, Keng-Kenneth’s mother, submitted this article to the Vicksburg Daily News, and edited by the Vicksburg Daily News staff.