The Mississippi State Board of Education has awarded the Natchez-Adams School District a $289,656 State Invested Pre-K Program grant to expand access to high-quality early childhood education at Susie B. West Elementary School. The district is one of 20 statewide recipients to share in the $24 million investment recently announced by the Mississippi Department of Education.
The grant, part of the State Invested Pre-K Cohort IV initiative, provides funding for fiscal years 2026 through 2028. It will support two classrooms serving 37 children. It will be used to hire certified educators, purchase instructional materials, and implement evidence-based curricula and assessments aligned with Mississippi’s Early Learning Standards.
“This funding enables us to further our mission of preparing every child for a successful start in school and life,” said Superintendent Zandra McDonald. “We are proud to be recognized by the state for our commitment to academic excellence and early learning.”
The district qualified for priority funding based on key performance indicators:
• A kindergarten readiness rate of 60.1% (below the state average of 63.8%)
• A third-grade MAAP ELA performance rate of 55.54% (below the state average of 75.7%)
• A kindergarten retention rate of 11.6% (above the state threshold of 5%)
The district plans to prepare for full implementation in Fall 2026. Enhancements will include increased staffing, professional development, and learning tools designed to boost kindergarten readiness from 51% to 70% over the next three years.
Pre-K Coordinator LaToya Clark added, “With this investment, we’re not only expanding access—we’re enriching the quality of education for our youngest learners. Our goal is to ensure every child enters kindergarten confident, capable, and ready to thrive.”
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