Today, the Louisiana Department of Education publicly released the 2023-2024 School and District Performance Scores. DeSoto ranks second in the state of Louisiana and is one of only eleven school systems with an overall rating of “A.”
DeSoto received a District Performance Score of 95.8, an increase of 2.1 points from the previous year. The District Performance Score is calculated by combining performance in LEAP 2025 state assessments for grades 3-8 and high school courses, ACT scores, graduation rates, strength of diploma, and interests and opportunities. DeSoto Parish Schools ranks second overall in the Progress Index with a letter grade of “A” and an index of 96.5 and ranks first in the state in graduation rate at 99.1%.
“This achievement reflects the sound commitment of our students, educators, families, and communities to achieving excellence in our schools. Moving to 2nd in Louisiana’s rankings speaks to the hard work and perseverance of everyone in DeSoto Parish Schools. Together, we are setting and meeting the standards of achievement when we prioritize our students’ learning and success,” said DeSoto Parish School Board President Dr. Neil Henderson.
Logansport High School, Mansfield High School, North DeSoto Middle School, and North DeSoto High School earned an “A” letter grade for overall SPS. Six schools earned an A in student growth. Those schools are Mansfield Elementary, Mansfield High School, North DeSoto Lower Elementary, North DeSoto Middle School, and North DeSoto High School.
The Louisiana Department of Education also awards designations to individual schools. The “Top Gains” designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in student progress from one year to the next. Mansfield High School, Mansfield Elementary, North DeSoto Lower Elementary, North DeSoto Upper Elementary, North DeSoto Middle School, and North DeSoto High School were all awarded this honor.
The distinction of “Opportunity Honoree” is awarded to schools that demonstrate excellence in educating students with disabilities, English learners, and economically disadvantaged students, which were awarded to Mansfield High School, North DeSoto High School, and North DeSoto Middle School. For the second consecutive year, Mansfield Elementary showed the most significant increase in overall SPS with a 6.2 point increase, totaling a 14.9 point increase in two years.
“Our students, teachers, support staff, and administrators continue to inspire with dedication to the daily work that makes such a difference in the lives of students. The commitment of our school and district teams to serve, support, and guide our students as they learn and grow is the very essence of our mission,” said Bridget Flanders, Director of Student Learning. “This accomplishment showcases the strong work ethic and passion of our school communities.”
This achievement highlights the incredible effort and dedication of our teachers, students, staff, and school community,” said Superintendent Clay Corley. “It’s a testament to the power of teamwork, the support of our school board, and a shared focus on ensuring the best outcomes for our children. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our students.”