Students at Overstreet Elementary who earned a perfect score on one or more state assessment during the 2024-2025 school year.
The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District's achievement in earning an A-rating for the second year in a row comes on the heels of an impressive performance by students on the 2024-2025 Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) annual tests. MAAP scores play a heavy role in how the Mississippi Department of Education names districts as "high performing" in the statewide school accountability model, and the district is proud to showcase students who scored proficient, advanced or a perfect score during the spring assessments.
During state MAAP assessments of 3rd through 12th grade students in April 2025, just under 1800 Yellow Jacket students scored proficient or advanced on reading, math, and science assessments as well as subject area tests required for graduation. The number of proficient and advanced scores contributed to the district repeating its A-rating for the second year, as well as Overstreet Elementary, Sudduth Elementary and Starkville High School earning As on individual school ratings.
In addition to students who scored proficient and advanced on state assessments, the district saw 240 students earn a perfect score on one or more test. Of that number, 59 students earned a perfect score on two assessments. In addition, the following three students earned a perfect score on three assessments: Anna Lang, Ruben Javorsky and Aviel Nyatta.
Visit a PHOTO GALLERY of SOCSD students who earned Proficient, Advanced and Perfect Scores
"We are extremely proud of the boys and girls who earned proficient or advanced on the state assessments," said SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee. " It's a tremendous achievement that showcases how they have grown academically over the last school year. For the district to have 240 students earn perfect scores is particularly impressive, and we commend each of them for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Their performance is also a testament to the quality of instruction that our teachers and staff are delivering each day."
SOCSD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Vernita Wilson echoed Dr. McGee's comments.
"We are incredibly proud that a great number of our students earned proficient, advanced and perfect scores on not just one, but two, and even three state assessments," Dr. Wilson said. "Our classroom teachers and instructional staff work tirelessly each year to make sure we are implementing best practices for providing high-quality Tier I instruction every day in every classroom. These scores help us know that we are providing student-centered and meaningful learning experiences. We're excited to see our students meet their goals for growth."
When we think about what the accountability rating and MAAP assessment numbers mean, McGee is eager to put them in context with the district's overall goals.
"Test scores and accountability points are a key indicator of how we're doing, and we're proud to continue our trajectory of A-rated excellence," he said. "However, those numbers don't come close to showing the full array of opportunities the district is working to offer students. At all ages, we strive to give students opportunities to experience the arts, extracurricular activities, team sports and advanced studies, not to mention career exploration that helps them think about life after high school. It's hard to measure those things, but they are vital to a student's experience of school."
As part of the advanced offerings the district provides students, last year more than 34% of Starkville High graduating seniors earned membership in a national academic honors organization including National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and National Beta Club. Also more than 34% completed a 2-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway, earning them a special CTE endorsed diploma. In addition, more than 500 students participated in dual enrollment courses last year with Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College, earning them high school as well as college credit.
Outside the classroom, students from second grade through high school choose from a wealth of extracurricular clubs and activities that allow them to pursue their interests, learn new skills, and participate in community service projects. With everything from science club, violin class and elementary archery to student council, sports media and robotics, the district actively encourages students to get involved in more than just the basic academic requirements.
"We know that students who are excited about what they are learning, tend to perform better across the board," McGee said. "We want them to meet and exceed Mississippi's standards, but we also want them to love coming to school and to get to do things while they are with us that spark their creativity and a life-long love of learning. That's really what it's about."