Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District earns top ranking in the state
HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- The Bay St. Louis-Waveland School District is celebrating a major accomplishment after earning the top ranking among school districts in the state.
WXXV News 25’s Brynne Baxley explains what’s behind the district’s success and what is next.
The Bay St. Louis Waveland School District recently made an impressive jump in rankings, earning the top spot among districts in the state.
Superintendent Sandra Reed has been with the district for eight years. She says it’s been rewarding watching their success unfold. “One of the most exciting things I think in watching the rise in the academic rank of Bay St. Louis- Waveland School District is the fact that we did start at number 61 eight years ago and that’s a very short period of time in the educational world. And today we’re currently sitting at number one, and I think that should be encouraging to all school districts in the state of Mississippi.”
School officials say this achievement is made possible by those in the classroom who have put in years of hard work and dedication. Assistant Superintendent Nicole Menotti said, “I do think that we know individual needs of students and we get to know them on that level to make sure that they’re successful, and that’s something that I credit our teachers with. They really do get to know each child and they want to make sure that each child is successful.”
Looking ahead, district leaders say they’re focused on expanding opportunities for students through new programs and facility improvements. “On November 3, we are going to the polls to ask taxpayers to support a $19 million bond, and that bond will fund a reconstruction project at the high school, whereby we will tear down the old sections of the high school and build them back with a much smaller, more efficient footprint over there. In that process, we’re actually going to add CTE programs such as HVAC, welding, cybersecurity, etc. As well, we currently have a partnership with Long Beach and Hancock County, and we will continue those, but we’ll be able to add additional CTE courses that I think will only enhance our academic offerings to our students.”
The district hopes residents will support their efforts to continue building on their success.
