DeSoto Parish School System

DeSoto School System Continues to be a Leading District in Student Progress

Named as a “Top Ten” Top Growth District in the State

DeSoto Parish School System received its annual student progress report on August 27, 2019 from the Louisiana Department of Education, which showed gains in the 2018-2019 school year.  The school system ranks high in the annual rate of growth from one year to the next for students that take the LEAP 2025 assessment.  This report ranks DeSoto Parish as one of the “Top Ten Top Growth” school districts in the State of Louisiana.  This is the second year in a row that DeSoto has earned this recognition among the 70 school districts across the State. 

School Districts earn top distinction in the progress measure by showing improvement on ELA and math assessments that are on track to Mastery of key skills and content by 8^th grade (elementary/middle school) or 10^th grade (high school), and for outperforming other similar student groups statewide, as measured by Louisiana’s value-added model. 

“This is outstanding news once again for our district,” said Superintendent Clay Corley. “We are excited to be recognized as a district that continues to excel in the academic growth of all students.  This recognition is due to the commitment of our administrators, teachers and support personnel who continue to reinforce a growth mindset across our district each day.”

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, like how students score on state assessments, how many students are graduating each year or how many students are earning early college credit. 

DeSoto Parish School System continues to track progress of student learning with the use of individual student growth plans in each subject area that a student pursues.  Teachers and administrators track individual student progress through a series of progress monitoring and action planning events.  Students, Parents, and Teachers work together at strategic student/parent/teacher meetings to review student progress toward each goal that the student is pursuing.  Reflective action cycles follow each of these events. 

Among the highlights from this year’s measurement of school progress:

• The school system achieved the distinction of being in the “Top Ten” school districts for student progress.  DeSoto Parish was named a “Top Growth School System” for helping students progress toward mastery in English Language Arts and Math. 

• The school system landed at the 2^nd highest ranking statewide for growing English Language Learners in English Language Arts and Math. 

• North DeSoto Middle School was named as an “Outstanding School for Student Growth” in Northwest Louisiana.  “We are so very proud of our students!” said Principal Keith Simmons.  “It is such a blessing to work in a community and district where parents, teachers, and staff believe so deeply in the potential of our young people. Our district has supported student learning by providing a systematic approach through TAP, progress monitoring, and top-rated curriculum. Going forward, we will continue to persevere to ensure our students' success.”

“We are fortunate to live in a community where high expectations exist for our system, and grateful for a school board that gives us the resources to meet those expectations,” said Superintendent Corley.