as known for months that it received the top “A” rating from the state, Mineola ISD got the official word during Monday’s school board meeting with the Texas Academic Performance Report.

Superintendent Cody Mize highlighted some of the 36 pages of statistics, noting there are also always areas for improvement.

Of the 20 tested subject areas, Mineola students scored above the state and region averages in 19, and in one category was just a point below them.

Broken down into three categories – approaches, meets or masters requirements – Mineola was at 84% in approaches compared to 74% for the region and state, 55% for meets requirements compared to 47 and 48 and 25% masters requirements compared to 22 and 23.

Junior high math made huge gains, outperforming the region and state by 22 points in 6th grade, 16 and 18 in 7th grade and 20 and 19 in 8th grade average scores.

Two areas where the district can improve are ACT college entrance scores and students taking dual credit courses.

Mize said the average ACT score is 18.1 for Mineola compared to 20 statewide.

The percent of students taking dual credit classes is 27.5% compared to 37.4 for the region and 42.5 for the state.

Although Mineola fared favorably in teacher retention, at 16.1% turnover compared to 17.7% statewide, Mize said this is a pivotal area as districts jockey for teachers.

It will require creating a culture, relationships and friendships so that teachers don’t want to leave, he said.