Mississippi Board approves new Schools of Innovation for 2025-26

The Mississippi State Board of Education has approved plans for three high schools to become Schools of Innovation in the 2025-26 academic year. The schools include Meridian High School, Richland High School, and Pontotoc High School. Additionally, George County High School's status as a School of Innovation was renewed, along with the renewal of Tupelo and Oxford School Districts as Districts of Innovation.

Mississippi now hosts 19 Schools of Innovation and 10 Districts of Innovation. According to Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education, "There is no one-size-fits-all to creating successful academic outcomes for students. I congratulate these new Schools of Innovation for seeking to implement different, innovative systems of learning." He also stated that "the MDE is ready to offer guidance and support in this endeavor."

The legislation passed in 2015 allows districts and schools within a district to apply for innovation status. This status provides flexibility from certain state regulations to enhance student achievement through innovative scheduling and instruction.

These innovations aim to expand learning choices, enforce rigorous standards, reduce achievement gaps, minimize student remediation post-graduation, increase student engagement, and prepare more students for college or careers.

Meridian High School will implement a College and Career Academy model where students are placed in an academy from ninth grade until graduation. This aims to improve attendance, engagement, and graduation rates with hands-on academics. Performance measures include increasing dual credit courses, improving ACT scores, increasing Advanced Placement courses participation, and growing business partnerships.

Richland High School plans to introduce a flexible block schedule for better academic growth support and equitable access to opportunities regardless of transportation or arrival time. The school aims for improved attendance, increased growth on state assessments, expanded vocational certifications, higher enrollment in Advanced Placement courses with improved scores, and an elevated school rating.

Pontotoc High School proposes shifting from a 4×4 block schedule to a 5×5 block schedule to enhance instructional quality and address seat time compliance issues. Their performance measures target increased proficiency in tested areas, improved ACT scores among juniors and seniors, higher English Learners' proficiency growth rates, expanded Advanced Placement course enrollment success rates, and increased Career Technical Education enrollment.

Further details can be found in the March 20th SBE Board materials.