SR1 CPSA 3rd graders beat Mississippi reading average in first year of testing

By AI, Created 4:58 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy said 88% of its third graders passed Mississippi’s ELA reading assessment on the first try, topping the statewide average by more than 10 points. The Canton charter school is now in its third year and plans to add fourth grade in 2026-27.

Why it matters: - SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy’s first tested third-grade class posted an 88% pass rate on Mississippi’s English Language Arts reading assessment. - The result topped the 2025 statewide average of 77.3% by more than 10 percentage points. - The school achieved 100% participation, strengthening the signal from its first year of state accountability testing. - The outcome adds to Mississippi’s early literacy gains and gives the Canton charter school an early academic marker as it grows.

What happened: - SR1 CPSA announced the results on May 12, 2026, from Canton, Mississippi. - The school said 88% of its third-grade scholars passed the state ELA reading assessment on their first attempt. - SR1 CPSA described itself as Mississippi’s first and only STEM-focused college preparatory charter school. - The school is in its third year of operation.

The details: - SR1 CPSA serves kindergarten through 3rd grade students. - The school will add fourth grade in the 2026–2027 school year. - SR1 CPSA said its academic model combines STEM education with a college preparatory curriculum starting in kindergarten. - The school’s instructional approach, called “The Vanguard Way,” centers on daily reading, small-group instruction, vocabulary development and individualized learning plans. - Provost La’Tesha Roby said the results reflect the work of scholars, educators and families. - Roby said the school aims to build confidence and critical thinking skills that prepare students for lifelong success.

Between the lines: - Mississippi’s early literacy progress has drawn national attention as the state’s “Mississippi Miracle.” - SR1 CPSA’s first accountability results suggest the school’s literacy model is translating into measurable early gains. - The data also give the school a performance benchmark as it expands beyond the early grades.

What’s next: - SR1 CPSA is enrolling students for the upcoming school year. - Families can visit the school’s website or email info@sr1cpsa.org for enrollment information or to schedule a tour. - The school is expected to open fourth grade in the 2026–2027 school year. - SR1 CPSA is currently enrolling K-4 students for the upcoming school year.

The bottom line: - SR1 CPSA’s first state-tested third grade outperformed the Mississippi average and gave the charter school an early proof point for its STEM-plus-literacy approach.