A year after improving its accountability ratings with the state, both Yazoo City and Yazoo County school districts have dropped a rating grade with the most recent results reported from the Mississippi Department of Education.
Last year’s improvement to a “C” rating within the Yazoo City Municipal School District, which was still considered the Mississippi Achievement School District at the time, was met with tremendous fanfare from school officials and the local community. A “C” rating had not been accomplished since the state takeover in 2019.
With the MASD now dissolved, the return of the Yazoo City Municipal School District as a Transformation District, however, was met with a lower grade from the 2024-25 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) results. The local city school district returns to a failing status.
In fact, all four Districts of Transformation, which includes Yazoo City, under state leadership saw a drop in letter grade in 2024-25 after making improvements in previous school years.
“The Mississippi Department of Education’s release of accountability grades for the 2024–2025 school year revealed a sobering reality for our community,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Earl Watkins. “The Yazoo City Municipal School District is one of four Districts of Transformation under the Mississippi Department of Education. While student achievement declined across the state of Mississippi, Yazoo City experienced an even sharper drop in test scores, resulting in an “F” rating under the state’s A–F accountability system.”
Dr. Lance Evans, state superintendent of education, said that transforming districts, such as Yazoo City Municipal School District, involves “complex work that does not happen overnight.”
“While we are disappointed to see declines in our Districts of Transformation this year, we cannot lose sight of the significant progress these communities have made,” Evans said. “The MDE is committed to the long-term work of building sustainable systems that supports consistent and sustained student achievement.”
A local rating breakdown within the Yazoo City Municipal School District includes:
* McCoy Elementary School: F rating; 19.8 percent reading proficient; 25.5 percent reading proficient math proficient; and 33.9 percent science proficient
* Woolfolk Middle School: F rating; 13 percent reading proficient; 16.6 percent reading proficient math proficient; and 17.5 percent science proficient
* Yazoo City High School: D rating; 14.6 percent reading proficient; 32.6 percent reading proficient math proficient; 45.8 percent history proficient; and 49.3 percent science proficient
“Without question, this outcome is deeply concerning, as it does not reflect the potential of our students, the dedication of our teachers, or the resilience of the Yazoo City community,” Watkins said. “We acknowledge these results with urgency and responsibility, and we are fully committed to turning them around. Our focus moving forward will be strengthening instruction, providing targeted support to students, and working collaboratively with families, educators, and stakeholders to ensure that Yazoo City students have every opportunity to succeed. This rating does not define us—it challenges us to rise, improve, and demonstrate measurable growth in the year ahead.”
Watkins added the district will be incorporating small group instruction, aligning of its high-quality instructional materials, and implementing structured intervention blocks.
“As we move forward, we must remain united in purpose and unwavering in our commitment to the children of Yazoo City,” Watkins continued. “The challenges before us are real, but so too is the strength of our educators, families, and community. Together, we will rebuild trust, raise expectations, and deliver the outcomes our students deserve.”
A more detailed reports of Watkins’ initiatives and goals can be found on the Yazoo City Municipal School District website at https://www.yazoocity.k12.ms.us/.
Yazoo County School District also saw a decrease in its rating. Last year, the county schools improved from a “C” rating to a “B” grade. However, recent results show a drop back down to a “C” rating.
A local rating breakdown within the Yazoo County School District includes:
* Bentonia Gibbs Elementary School: B rating; 39.6 percent reading proficient; 37.3 percent reading proficient math proficient; and 73 percent science proficient
* Linwood Elementary School: C rating; 31.9 percent reading proficient; 37.7 percent reading proficient math proficient; and 30.4 percent science proficient
* Yazoo County Middle School: D rating; 24.7 percent reading proficient; 33.1 percent reading proficient math proficient; and 36.2 percent science proficient
* Yazoo County High School: B rating; 34 percent reading proficient; 58.4 percent reading proficient math proficient; 57.4 percent history proficient; and 51 percent science proficient
Concerning the state dropout rate, Yazoo City Municipal School ranked the highest in the state with 28.3 percent. The Yazoo County School District saw a dropout rate of 11.6 percent.
