Mississippi Names new Science of Reading Schools
The Mississippi Department of Education has designated 15 elementary schools across the state as Emerging Science of Reading schools for the 2026–27 school year. The recognition goes to schools that demonstrate a school culture focused on building skillful, strong readers in kindergarten through third grade, with faculties trained in the Science of Reading.
The 15 schools are: Pineville Elementary (Harrison County School District); Waveland Elementary and North Bay Elementary (Bay-Waveland School District); McLaurin Elementary; Pelahatchie Elementary; Luther Branson Elementary; Chickasaw Elementary; Lewisburg Primary; Lewisburg Elementary; Lake Cormorant Elementary; Hernando Hills Elementary; Oak Grove Central Elementary; New Hope Lower Elementary; New Hope Upper Elementary; and Caledonia Elementary.
MDE’s K-3 Literacy Leadership Team will travel to each of the 15 campuses beginning Monday, August 17, to celebrate the designation.
The department began offering the award in the 2021–22 school year. To date, 33 different schools have received the recognition; schools must reapply each year to keep the designation.
The designations come as MDE prepares to release 2025–26 state assessment results this month, which will set the baseline for the state’s higher accountability standards.