LONG BEACH, Miss. (WLOX) - Accountability scores are in from the Mississippi Department of Education, and a Gulf Coast school district is ranked number one.

For the first time since 2022, Long Beach School District sits atop the state’s scores.

After ranking third in the state last year, Superintendent Dr. Talia Lock said the district has been focusing on improving scores.

“Every year, we know that we are great, but we want to be better,” said Dr. Lock. ”Between that and the hard work that our teachers do, that’s really kind of our strategy.”

Superintendent Lock said accountability scores start with a strong foundation. With three “A-rated” elementary schools, Long Beach sets the tone for learning early.

“When it comes to laying that foundation, we give them that joy of learning and a

See Full Page