By MDA Staff Writer | October 16, 2026
MISSISSIPPI DELTA — Two Mississippi Delta school districts are celebrating significant academic progress after newly released state accountability results revealed some of the largest one-year improvements in Mississippi.
The Mississippi Department of Education released its 2025–2026 accountability grades Thursday, October 15, showing that the Clarksdale Municipal School District improved its overall accountability score by 102 points, moving from an F rating to a C.
The Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated School District also recorded substantial improvement, gaining 98 points and moving from a D rating to a C.
The results are particularly noteworthy because Mississippi introduced more demanding grading standards for the 2025–2026 school year.
Both districts demonstrated measurable academic progress despite challenges that have historically affected education in parts of the Mississippi Delta. Mississippi Today
Clarksdale Schools Demonstrate Significant Turnaround
Clarksdale’s 102-point improvement represents an encouraging development for a district that has faced challenges involving teacher vacancies, student attendance and academic performance.
One of the district’s most significant improvements occurred at W.A. Higgins Middle School.
Under Principal Denise Calhoun, the school increased its accountability score by more than 186 points.
The school’s mathematics proficiency rate also nearly tripled compared with the previous year.
According to reporting by Mississippi Today, Calhoun introduced several changes intended to strengthen the school’s learning environment.
Those changes included recruiting additional teachers, restoring art and choir electives, improving student behavior initiatives and providing intensive academic preparation before state testing.
The school also introduced a recognition program celebrating extended periods without student fights.
District Superintendent Toya Harrell-Matthews emphasized the importance of building relationships with students and addressing their needs as part of improving academic outcomes.
The results suggest that improvements in school climate, staffing and instructional support can contribute to stronger student performance. Mississippi Today
Greenwood-Leflore Records Major Academic Progress
The Greenwood-Leflore Consolidated School District also experienced one of the state’s largest increases in accountability points.
Its 98-point improvement helped the district advance from a D to a C rating.
Greenwood Middle School was among the district’s notable performers, increasing its accountability score by 100 points.
Superintendent Kenneth Pulley attributed the district’s progress to stronger instructional leadership, professional development and regular evaluations of student performance.
According to Mississippi Today’s reporting, Pulley worked closely with school administrators to identify students needing additional academic support.
The district also reorganized its middle school operations, consolidating resources after closing Amanda Elzy Junior High School.
The changes were intended to strengthen educational services while allowing the district to use available resources more effectively.
For families throughout Leflore County, the latest results provide evidence of academic improvement while highlighting the continued importance of supporting students and teachers. Mississippi Today
New State Standards Make the Results More Significant
Mississippi’s latest accountability ratings were calculated under higher performance requirements approved by the State Board of Education in November 2025.
The revised system raises the number of points schools must earn to receive certain letter grades.
It also places additional emphasis on college and career readiness.
The accountability system evaluates academic achievement, student growth, graduation rates and other educational indicators.
According to the Mississippi Department of Education, 53.9% of schools and 50.7% of districts earned an A or B under the new standards.
State officials caution that letter grades from 2025–2026 should not be directly compared with previous years because the grading thresholds changed.
However, changes in accountability point totals can help illustrate academic progress.
For Clarksdale and Greenwood-Leflore, the substantial increases in points provide an important measure of improvement beyond the new letter grades. Darkhorse Press
Other Delta Districts Show Improvement
The encouraging results extend beyond Clarksdale and Greenwood.
Western Line School District, located in Washington County, and West Tallahatchie School District, based in Sumner, also recorded meaningful academic gains.
Under the previous year’s grading thresholds, both districts would have qualified for B ratings, according to Mississippi Today’s analysis.
The improvements come as some Mississippi Delta school districts continue facing declining enrollment and discussions about potential consolidation.
Those challenges remain significant, but the latest accountability results demonstrate that academic progress is occurring in several communities.
A Promising Development for Mississippi Delta Education
For parents, students, teachers and community leaders, the newly released results provide an opportunity to recognize educational progress while continuing to address areas needing improvement.
The gains recorded by Clarksdale and Greenwood-Leflore reflect measurable changes in student performance and district accountability scores.
Maintaining that progress will require continued attention to teacher recruitment, student attendance, classroom instruction and academic support.
As Mississippi raises its educational expectations, the improvements in Clarksdale and Greenwood-Leflore demonstrate that Mississippi Delta school districts can make substantial academic gains while working toward stronger outcomes for their students.
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Source: Mississippi Department of Education and Mississippi Today