SR1 kindergarteners post strong spring reading gains

By AI, Created 4:35 PM UTC, May 19, 2026, /AGP/ – SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy says 69% of its kindergarten class finished the spring reading benchmark in Canton, Mississippi, with every student completing the screening window. The results add to a year of literacy gains at Mississippi’s only STEM-focused college preparatory charter school as it prepares to expand to fourth grade next school year.

Why it matters: - SR1 CPSA’s kindergarten reading results point to early literacy gains that research links to later third-grade proficiency, high school graduation and college and career success. - The school says the outcomes reflect a broader effort to build strong reading skills early for families in central Mississippi. - SR1 CPSA also posted strong third-grade reading results, suggesting the school is seeing progress across grades, not just in one classroom.

What happened: - SR1 College Preparatory & STEM Academy said 69% of its kindergarten class finished at or above benchmark on the Renaissance Star Early Literacy assessment this spring. - Every kindergarten student completed the screening window. - One kindergartner finished the year reading at a mid-third-grade level and scored in the 98th percentile nationally. - Several other kindergartners finished reading at a level comparable to solid second graders and ranked between the 88th and 91st percentile. - SR1 CPSA is in Canton, Mississippi, and is in its third year of operation. - The school describes itself as Mississippi’s first and only STEM-focused college preparatory charter school. - SR1 CPSA said 88% of its third graders recently passed Mississippi’s state ELA reading assessment on their first attempt. - That third-grade result topped the most recent statewide average by more than 10 percentage points.

The details: - La’Tesha Roby, provost of SR1 CPSA, said the results show what is possible when scholars are challenged, supported and inspired from the beginning. - Roby said the school’s students are proving that excellence has no age limit and are developing a lifelong love for reading and learning. - Dr. Tim Ward, associate dean of research and faculty support at Millsaps College and current board chair of SR1 CPSA, said the school is carrying forward the vision of the late board chair Dr. Elayne Anthony, former acting Jackson State University president. - Ward said the results are transformational for scholars and families and for the future of education in Mississippi. - Dorlisa Hutton, vice president of SR1 CPSA, said the school’s literacy results reflect intentional instruction, strong family partnerships and a culture of high expectations. - SR1 CPSA said its approach is called Vanguard, which emphasizes rigorous academics and the idea that excellence has no ZIP code and no age limit.

Between the lines: - The school is using early reading scores as proof that its model can produce measurable academic gains in a short period of time. - The combination of kindergarten and third-grade results gives SR1 CPSA a narrative of schoolwide momentum as it continues to build out grade levels. - The public charter school is also framing achievement as part of a broader mission tied to STEM, college preparation and character development.

What’s next: - SR1 CPSA plans to expand to fourth grade in the 2026-2027 school year. - The school is accepting enrollment interest, tours and applications through its website or by email at enrollment@sr1cpsa.org. - SR1 CPSA operates as a tuition-free public charter school serving kindergarten through third grade now, with fourth grade coming next school year.

The bottom line: - SR1 CPSA is pointing to early literacy data as evidence that its academic model is working and that its expansion plans are supported by student performance.