Empowering Futures: The Vicksburg-Warren Path to Educational Excellence

Change is born from the courage to address the toughest challenges head-on. In Vicksburg-Warren, Mississippi, a bold vision for educational reform is not just a concept but a reality transforming lives and communities. Over the last few years, they’ve begun to break away from the traditional notions of schooling and made significant improvements working with community stakeholders to launch a new school model, designed in partnership with NCEE, that integrates career-connected learning experiences K-12+ and provides clear opportunities and pathways for students to explore and apply their interests. 

Just a decade ago, Vicksburg-Warren School District faced a daunting 56 percent graduation rate with considerable economic and engagement challenges. In 2022, thanks to a community-wide commitment to transformation, the district boasted an 88 percent graduation rate and a vibrant educational model that ensures every student has the tools to succeed in life, no matter their path.

District administration set out to change the adversarial dynamics by resetting and expanding partnerships with parents, the business community, early childhood providers, and institutions of higher learning—all focused on building a sustainable and knowledgeable workforce. 

In 2015, in collaboration with 200 business and community members, the district created the Vicksburg Warren College and Career Academies and formed a steering committee consisting of educators, parents, community members, industry leaders, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and postsecondary partners. Together, they developed an innovative education model focused on workforce engagement and aligned to the philosophy that all education leads to employment. In 2018, they implemented their portrait of a graduate, known as the 4 E’s, which defines postsecondary strategies to support students obtaining: 

1. Enrollment in postsecondary education
2. Employment making a livable wage in a field of the student’s choice
3. Enlistment in a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces
4. Entrepreneurship with a business model.

Students in the district begin as early as pre-K in:

• exploring their interests
• exercising agency over their learning
• acquiring the knowledge & developing the skills & attitudes required to succeed in college, career, & life

The district's strategic location in the Southcentral Mississippi Works (SMW) Workforce Development Area offers unique advantages. They’ve tapped into this potential by aligning educational programs with the needs of local industries such as Batesville Company, International Paper, and more. This alignment not only enhances the relevance of their curriculum but also fortifies the local economy and workforce.

The results speak for themselves:

• The highest graduation rates in the history of the district: 88% in 2022, compared to 56% in 2013.
• A ‘B’ grade on the state accountability system in 2022, moving up from a ‘D’ in 2018.
• High school students earning 6,915 semester hours of college credit during the 2021– 22 school year, an estimated savings of over $6M.
• Successfully passed the first bond issue for school improvements in 50 years.
• Trust built with families and the community and an embraced culture of inclusion.

Their story is about real change for real people. We’d love to hear from educators, policymakers, and community leaders sharing insights and perhaps finding inspiration in their story for your community. Let’s discuss how we can collectively redefine the possibilities of public education.

What strategies have worked in your districts? How can we further empower our youth for success in an ever-evolving world?