St. Mary Parish received its annual report card today from the Louisiana Department of Education. The school system strengthened its “B” letter grade for overall district performance. The 2019 District Performance Score (DPS) of 85.4 illustrates 3.5 points of growth from last year’s DPS of 81.9. Additionally, given its significant degree of growth from the prior year’s performance level, St. Mary ranked ninth among the 70 school districts reported. As expected, St. Mary continues to outpace the state whose 2019 performance score of 77.1 demonstrates only one point of growth from 2018.

Every year, schools and school systems in Louisiana receive report cards with school performance scores and corresponding A-F letter grades. The report cards, which can be viewed on the online Louisiana School Finder, communicate how well schools are preparing students for the next grade level by examining student performance measures, such as how students score on state assessments, how many students are graduating each year or how many students are earning early college credit. Over time, the state has raised the bar for each of these measurements, and for the first time last year, the report card also detailed how well schools are helping students, regardless of where they start the year, progress toward mastering key concepts and skills. On this newer component called the Student Progress Index, St. Mary Parish earned a score of 86.8, signifying a letter grade of “B.”

Superintendent Teresa Bagwell issued the following statement: “Annual test measures clearly convey student growth across schools in St. Mary Parish. In light of the state’s rising performance requirements, St. Mary has shown that our students are meeting and exceeding prescribed achievement levels in increasing numbers. We will continue to invest in instructional supports for students as the school system strives to offer an exceptional education for all kids. The released performance data exemplifies the deep commitment of St.

Mary students, parents, and teachers in pursing academic excellence.” Among the highlights from this year’s report card:

• 14 schools earn Honor Roll status for overall performance. The number of schools receiving a letter grade of “A” or “B” for their overall School Performance Score increased to fourteen.
  
  

• 7 schools earn Top Gains status. Schools receiving a letter grade of “A” for the Student Progress Index therefore earning the distinction of Top Gains Honorees include: J.S. Aucoin Elementary, Bayou Vista Elementary, Berwick Elementary, Franklin Junior High, Lagrange Elementary, Hattie Watts Elementary, and Wyandotte. 
  
  

• 6 schools earn Equity Honoree status. Schools who outperform 90% of all schools across various student groups and receive no intervention labels earn this distinction. The schools include: Berwick High, Morgan City High, Patterson High, Wyandotte Elementary, Norman Elementary, and West St. Mary. 
  
  

• J. B. Maitland makes the Early Childhood Education Honor Roll for the third year in a row. This school received a rating of “Excellent,” which is the highest possible rating on the annual performance evaluation.
  
  

St. Mary Parish School Board wishes to commend three schools for achieving grade “A” status: Berwick High (108.7), Morgan City High (101.5), and Patterson High (99). Also receiving honor roll status are the eleven “B” schools: West St. Mary High (89.8), Bayou Vista Elementary (88.9), Hattie Watts Elementary (86.6), Berwick Junior High (86.4), Centerville High (84), Wyandotte Elementary (83.5), Berwick Elementary (83.3), Franklin High (83.3), J.S. Aucoin Elementary (80.1), M.E. Norman Elementary (77.4), and Morgan City Junior High (76.9). Further recognition is extended to four “C” schools: B. Edward Boudreaux (69.3), Patterson Junior High (67), Franklin Junior High (65.2), and LaGrange Elementary (60.6). The remaining “D” schools, Raintree Elementary (59.1), Maitland Elementary (57.1), and Foster Elementary (52.6) are part of a partnership with LDOE, district staff, and curriculum coaches to refine instructional planning and implementation according to recent data releases in an effort to accelerate future academic growth.