Jackson-Madison County School System achieves state’s highest score for academic progress

East Elementary students dive into a hands-on science assignment, building skills in a subject where JMCSS recently achieved a significant milestone—improving proficiency in grades 3-8 by over 10 percentage points over a four-year period. (Photo from JMCSS)

Tennessee has awarded the Jackson-Madison County School System (JMCSS) with the highest score for academic growth (Level 5) on the Tennessee Value Added Assessment System (TVAAS), a recent announcement said.

The district says JMCSS students made significant progress on state testing in fourth through eighth-grade English Language Arts (ELA), fourth through sixth-grade math, and fifth through eighth-grade Science during the 2023-24 school year. The district announcement noted that proficiency numbers also “leaped upward” over the last four years in third through eighth-grade math.

"These TCAP results are proof of what we know in our hearts—that our teachers and staff are going above and beyond for students and families in Madison County. This isn’t just about numbers on a test; it’s about knowing that our students are being supported, challenged, and encouraged every day to reach their full potential,” Chief Accountability and Assessment Officer Catherine Korth said in a public statement.

The Level 5 designation is reserved for schools that are outperforming projected growth metrics across multiple tested subjects.

Associate Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Spight said the achievement shows that students “developed a heightened understanding of content knowledge over the past 24 months.”

“It’s a testament to the power of collaboration among our teachers, students, and families,” she said in a statement.

According to the announcement, JMCSS high school composite testing scores have also generally showed considerable growth over the last four years in Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry. The district’s high school graduation rate also improved from 90.5 percent in 2023 to 93 percent in 2024. The state average is 92.1 percent.

“The rise in our graduation rate to 93 percent is the real heart of it all—it’s not just a number; it’s more young people in our community reaching the milestone that opens doors to their future. This progress makes me prouder than ever to be part of a district that is truly committed to seeing every student succeed,” Superintendent Dr. Marlon King said.

For more information on the designation, visit the district’s website at www.jmcss.org.