Mississippi charter schools see mixed results in accountability grades
JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Public charter schools in Mississippi saw mixed results in the Mississippi Department of Education's (MDE) latest accountability grades .
In Jackson, Ambition Preparatory Charter School and Smilow Prep earned "B" ratings for the 2023-24 school year. Reimagine Prep received a "C" rating, and Midtown Public Charter School received a "D" rating.
"We had leaders going in daily into classrooms, doing live coaching and giving feedback on how to render better instruction and strong instruction to students," said Quita Breland, principal of Smilow Prep.
The Mississippi Charter Schools Act of 2013 gave the greenlight for charter schools in the state.
MDE releases school accountability grades for 2023-24
"Around that time is when charter schools were off the rise in Mississippi, and I though well, this is great, and I would love to bring it here, especially where the greatest need was at that time, which is Jackson," said DeArchie Scott, found and executive director at Ambition Prep.
In the Delta, proficiency rates grew in science with modest gains in literacy and math at Clarksdale Collegiate Public Charter School.
"While we're disappointed with our 2024 accountability rating, it is essential to look beyond just the rating," said Amanda Johnson, executive director of Clarksdale Public Charter School.
Charter schools generally receive less funding than traditional public schools.
"I think about the Delta as being a place where we have amazing scholars who have tremendous potential, and essentially what they need are opportunities," said Johnson.
Scott founded Ambition Prep in 2019 and said the current challenges they face are funding and impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ambition Prep operates on a two-teacher model.
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"At this stage, for us to only be in our sixth year of operating, I would say we're beyond what I though originally where we will be," said Scott.
Overall, school leaders said it's important to create an environment where students want to come to school.
"We just need them to know that learning is important, and I think our scholars are feeling that. They understand that," said Breland.
More than 3,000 Mississippi children receive their public education from a public charter school.
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