PHILADELPHIA, MS — October 15, 2026 — The Neshoba County School District (NCSD) continues to establish itself as one of Mississippi's highest-performing school districts, earning an A accountability rating and ranking seventh statewide in the 2025–2026 accountability results released by the Mississippi Department of Education.

The district's seventh-place finish marks consecutive years among Mississippi's Top 10 school districts, following a ninth-place ranking last year. Remarkably, NCSD finished just 18 accountability points behind the highest-scoring district in the state.

The accomplishment is even more significant considering that Mississippi increased its accountability cut scores this year, making it more difficult for schools and districts to earn an A rating. Only 31 school districts statewide received an A this year, compared to 52 last year.

"To finish among the Top 10 school districts in Mississippi for consecutive years is something our entire community should be proud of," said Superintendent Josh Perkins. "And to be just 18 points away from the highest-scoring district in the state is remarkable. We've worked extremely hard to build a district that consistently performs at a high level, and these results reflect the dedication of so many people who care deeply about our students."

Academic Excellence Across the District

Neshoba Central students continue to perform among the best in Mississippi, particularly in mathematics and science.

Based on overall student proficiency on state assessments, NCSD ranked fourth statewide in Mathematics, fifth in Science, and 17th in English Language Arts.

Approximately three out of every four students scored proficient or advanced in mathematics, while more than eight out of ten reached that level in science. The district also ranked fifth statewide in Mathematics Growth, demonstrating the strong academic progress students are making.

"Our students are achieving at a very high level, and that's exciting," Perkins said. "We're especially proud of our mathematics and science performance. At the same time, we've identified areas where we can make even greater progress, particularly in mathematics growth and reading. We're proud of where we are, but we're certainly not satisfied. We know we can continue getting better."

Success Across All Three Schools

One of the district's most exciting accomplishments came at Neshoba Central Elementary School, which returned to an A rating after narrowly missing that designation last year. The elementary school had maintained an A rating for many years, and its return to that level is particularly impressive considering the higher accountability standards established this year.

The elementary school demonstrated improvement in every reported academic performance category, including significant gains among students who needed the most academic support.

"I'm especially proud of our elementary school," Perkins said. "They had been an A-rated school for years and came very close to maintaining that rating last year. I saw firsthand the work they put in, the adjustments they made, and the determination they showed to get back to an A. And they accomplished it in a year when the state raised the bar. That makes it even more rewarding. I'm incredibly proud of that entire staff."

Neshoba Central Middle School maintained its A rating, continuing its tradition of outstanding academic achievement. Mathematics remains a particular strength, with students demonstrating exceptional proficiency and academic growth.

Neshoba Central High School also made significant academic gains, increasing its overall accountability score by 32 points and narrowly missing an A rating. The high school demonstrated impressive improvement in reading and science while maintaining mathematics proficiency.

"Our middle school continues to demonstrate an exceptional level of academic achievement, and I'm proud of the consistency they've established," Perkins said. "At the high school, we've seen tremendous improvement, and they came extremely close to earning an A. That progress is encouraging, especially with the higher standards this year. There is a lot of great work taking place in all three of our schools."

Preparing Students for Success Beyond High School

In addition to strong academic performance, NCSD ranked #1 statewide in Acceleration, a measure of student success in advanced academic and college and career readiness opportunities.

The district also achieved an outstanding 96.8% graduation rate, placing it among Mississippi's top-performing school districts.

These accomplishments reflect NCSD's continued commitment to preparing students for success after graduation through dual-credit coursework, career and technical education, industry certifications, and expanded workforce development opportunities.

"Our goal is to make sure students leave Neshoba Central prepared for whatever comes next," Perkins said. "We want them to have more than a high school diploma. We want them to have opportunities, whether that's college, technical training, military service, or entering the workforce. That's why we're continuing to invest in programs that connect what students learn in school to the opportunities available after graduation."

One Community. One Mission. One Neshoba.

While celebrating the district's achievements, Perkins emphasized that continued improvement remains a priority.

"These results are outstanding, but they don't mean our work is finished. We have areas where we need to improve, and we will continue challenging ourselves to do that. Our goal has never been simply to earn an A rating. It's to provide every student with the best education and opportunities possible."

Perkins also credited the district's teachers, administrators, support staff, students, families, Board of Trustees, and community for their continued commitment to education.

"When you look at these accomplishments, it's important to remember that they represent years of work by a lot of people. A student graduating from Neshoba Central High School is the product of dedicated employees who have supported that student since elementary school. Every teacher, assistant, bus driver, cafeteria worker, counselor, administrator, and support employee plays a part in our success."

"I'm incredibly proud of the people who make up the Neshoba County School District. They care about our students, they take pride in their work, and they continue to push themselves to be better. That's what makes Neshoba Central special. These results belong to our entire community, and I hope everyone takes a moment to celebrate what we've accomplished together."

One Community. One Mission. One Neshoba.

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