School scores slip; parish still rates a 'B'

St. Mary Parish’s District Performance Score for 2022 is down from the previous year, but the district maintained its “B” letter grade and ranks 26th among 64 Louisiana school systems, the district said in a press release.
The three east St. Mary high schools and Franklin Senior High all received A grades in scores released Wednesday by the Louisiana Department of Education.
School report cards, which can be publicly viewed using 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.
St. Mary’s District Performance Score for 2022 is 80.2, down from 82.3 in 2021. The statewide performance score is 77.1.
Superintendent Teresa Bagwell issued the following statement: “Annual test and other related performance measures clearly convey student growth and success across all school types in St. Mary Parish. In light of the state’s rising performance requirements, St. Mary has shown that our students are capable of meeting and exceeding prescribed achievement levels in ever increasing numbers.
“We will continue to invest in the state’s Tier I approved instructional resources and 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, teachers, and administrators in striving for academic excellence.”
Among the highlights from this year’s report, the St. Mary district said:
—12 schools earn Honor Roll status for overall performance. These schools received a letter grade of “A” or “B” for their overall School Performance Score.
—Eight 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, W.P. Foster Elementary, Franklin Junior High, Hattie Watts Elementary, Wyandotte Elementary and M.E. Norman Elementary.
—Four schools earn Opportunity Honoree status. Schools who outperform 90% of all schools across various student groups and receive no intervention labels earn this distinction. The schools include: J.S. Aucoin Elementary, Franklin High, Morgan City High and Patterson High.
These schools received “A” grades: Berwick High (97), Morgan City High (92.1), Patterson High (91.9) and Franklin High (90.2).
Eight “B” schools received Honor Roll status: J.S. Aucoin Elementary (85.6), Berwick Elementary (85.5), Bayou Vista Elementary (85.2), Hattie Watts Elementary (82.2), Centerville High (81.9), West St. Mary High (78.4), Wyandotte Elementary (77.4) and Berwick Junior High (76.3).
Further recognition is extended to five “C” schools: M.E. Norman Elementary (71.9), B. Edward Bou-dreaux Middle (70.9), Patterson Junior High (68.1), Franklin Junior High (61.8) and Morgan City Junior High (61.5).
The remaining schools, Raintree Elementary (59), Foster Elementary (56.8), Maitland Elementary (54), and LaGrange Elementary (42.4) are all part of a partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education, district staff, and curriculum coaches to refine instructional planning and implementation according to recent data releases in an effort to accelerate future academic growth, the district said.