Ellen Ciurczak, Hattiesburg American Published 4:00 a.m. CT Oct. 28, 2019

It's become a tradition for Oak Grove High School to shine in Mississippi's accountability rankings - which rates schools from A-F and places them in state order by points.

Oak Grove High School isn't all about football. The school has done it again academically. It's landed in the top 10 high schools in the state.

According to the Mississippi Department of Education's 2018-19 accountability ratings released in September Oak Grove HighSchool was No. 6 in Mississippi with an A grade.

The schools are ranked by points. Oak Grove High School scored 790 points out of 1,000.

Ocean Springs High School came in at No. 1 with 811 points.

In the past five years, Oak Grove High School hasbeen as high as No. 1 and as low as No. 14 always ranked A.

"It's a tradition here," said Principal Helen Price. "The students and the teachers enjoy being part of a good thing.

"We work hard to keep that tradition of excellence."

Senior Calvin Pierce is proud to be part of a No. 6 school. He realizes how it's benefited him as he's been accepted to six colleges.

"I think it's really cool," he said. "I didn't understand how lucky I was to be here to realize I've been getting an excellent education all four years."

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The tough part about giving kids an excellent education, according to Price,is:

To participate in the standardized testing that goes into the accountability rankings, Oak Grove High School students must take a variety of tests:

They're not allowed to take the same test from year to year.

"You have to kind of start over each year," Price said. "Those who took English (II) one year will be taking U.S. History the next year.

"It's not like we can use their English data to help with their U.S. History (scores)."

Price said the teachers begin the school year by assessing their students' strengths and weaknesses.

"Then we address our instruction accordingly what will help the students grow academically," she said. "Then we work really hard."

Price said the high school faced a special challenge last year because it had several dozen English language learners.

"This accountability grade that we just got was the the first score to include points in that category," she said.

It has a feature called Tribe Time named because the school mascot is a Native American warrior. It's ahalf hour each day where every student even those doing wellgoes to the classroom of the teacher of their choosing.

Requirements are:

But Price said Tribe Time benefits every student even the academically successful ones.

"I see students who work feverishly trying to finish their homework assignments," she said. "If they'll use that time to get the assignment done, then they have time for (a job)or after-school activities."

Price said the teachers also participate in Professional Learning Communities where instructors of the same subject discuss:

Reaching students is perhaps the most important key to success.

"I build relationships with teachers and teachers implement relationships with students and together we can build an interest in each other's lives," Price said. "Students have to know teachers care about them personally and about their success then you get the most in return from that student."

Teacher Jennifer Kelly gets up close and personal with her students.

Here's what she does:

"In close, I have a better gaugeof their learning," she said.

Even though staying a top school is difficult, Price is not complaining.

"I think the good thing about accountability is it builds accountability for every student not just the high-performers, not just the low-performers, not just the English speakers," she said. "Even though it's a huge challenge, it's a good thing so we can reach all of our students."

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Contact Ellen Ciurczak ateciurczak@gannett.com. Follow @educellen on Twitter.

Oak Grove High School state accountability rankings

2018-19: State rank: 6 Grade: A Score: 790 out of 1,000

2017-18: State rank: 3 Grade: A Score: 829

2016-17: State rank: Tie for 6 Grade: A Score: 832

2015-16: State rank: 14 Grade: A Score: 765

2014-15: State rank: 1 Grade: A Score: 790

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'It's a tradition here:' Another achievement for Oak Grove High School - Hattiesburg American