MANSFIELD, La. - A DeSoto Parish middle school is reporting positive early results from a new teaching curriculum that was introduced at the start of the school year in September.
Mansfield Middle School Principal Corey Hill says recent proficiency exam scores reflect what he and his staff are seeing in students participating in the Star Academy program.
According to Hill, 85% of students in social studies are at or above their goal for the year. He says the math department is also performing well, with 60% of students meeting or exceeding expectations.
Teachers say the benefits of the program go beyond academics.
Social Studies teacher Cole Williams says the curriculum emphasizes accountability both in and out of the classroom.
“They know that they’re accountable for their actions with their work with our data, but also accountable for what they’re doing outside of the classroom,” Williams said.
Students say the program is helping them focus more on their future.
Eighth-grader Zyshon Sudds says it has encouraged him to think about long-term goals rather than following the crowd.
“After I leave middle school, I go to high school, get all my high school credits. I might go to college,” Sudds said.
Mansfield is one of 30 schools across the state selected to roll out the program this school year. Hill says he hopes to see it expand to more campuses.
“We’ve seen the kids, like when they walk in the hallways, they’re happy. They’re motivated. Students are excited about being in A Star Academy and what it has to offer them,” Hill said.