State Board of Education approves plans for three new Districts of Innovation, one new School of Innovation for 2026-27

NEWS RELEASE 
For Immediate Release:  April 2, 2026

State Board of Education approves plans for three new Districts of Innovation, one new School of Innovation for 2026-27

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) has approved plans for three school districts – Newton County School District, Union Public School District and Western Line School District – to become Districts of Innovation for the 2026-27 school year, and for Hinds County Early College High School to become a new School of Innovation.

The Meridian School District received approval to amend its School of Innovation designation to recognize the evolution of its work into a fully aligned District of Innovation. Additionally, Booneville School District, Corinth School District and Gulfport School District were renewed as Districts of Innovation, while Jackson Public School District Early College High School at Tougaloo College was renewed as a School of Innovation.

Legislation passed in 2015 to allow districts and schools within a district to apply for District of Innovation or School of Innovation status, which enables the district or school to request exemptions from certain state regulations to improve student achievement. Through the innovative model, districts and schools have flexibility in areas such as seat time and teacher certification to allow for innovative scheduling and instruction.

Mississippi now has 14 Districts of Innovation, six Schools of Innovation, five Early College High Schools and eight Middle College High Schools. See complete lists at Districts of Innovation and Schools of Innovation.

Districts of Innovation and Schools of Innovation are intended to expand learning choices, implement rigorous standards, reduce achievement gaps, reduce student remediation post-graduation, increase student engagement and increase the number of students who are ready for college and/or career.

Newton County School District will implement a districtwide redesign of the PreK–12 instructional experience aligned to Mississippi’s Workforce Ecosystem 6. The plan centers on a transition to a 5×5 secondary schedule, flexible K–5 activity blocks, integration of STEM and artificial intelligence, expanded dual credit and credential pathways, and individualized success planning for every student. The district will embed early career exposure, employability skill development, and verified postsecondary placement expectations into the daily structure of schooling. Partnerships with East Central Community College (ECCC), AccelerateMS, regional employers, and military representatives will ensure authentic alignment between classroom learning and labor market needs.

Union Public School District will implement a districtwide readiness model anchored in Individual Success Plans, a redesigned 5×5 master schedule, and daily What I Need (WIN) time. The framework expands access to dual credit, industry credentials, internships, and virtual career exploration while maintaining rigorous academic expectations. The innovation replaces one-size-fits-all scheduling with personalized pathways that connect coursework, employability skills, and postsecondary planning. Partnerships with ECCC, regional employers, and community organizations will support authentic learning and workforce alignment.

Western Line School District will implement a comprehensive K–12 coherence model designed to eliminate persistent middle-grade underperformance and ensure every graduate exits with a clear, credential-aligned pathway. The plan integrates Junior Achievement, Leader in Me, Individual Success Plans and expanded postsecondary partnerships into a vertically aligned system. A primary feature is the redesign of grades 7–8 through a 5×5 block schedule and implementation of the Star Academy school-within-a-school model for students requiring intensive intervention. At the high school level, a 4×4 structure allows students to complete graduation requirements early and transition into Middle College, CTE Middle College, Greenville Technical Center pathways or workforce-aligned programs.

Hinds County Early College High School – Hinds County School District will expand its District of Innovation framework by creating an Early College High School in partnership with Hinds Community College. Beginning in fall 2026, students will attend classes on the Utica campus and engage in a full college course load while completing high school graduation requirements. The model builds upon the district’s existing academy structure and work-based learning commitments by providing direct access to college-level expectations, accelerated credit accumulation, and structured advising.  The initiative is designed to improve graduation rates, reduce remediation, and increase postsecondary attainment, particularly for first-generation and economically disadvantaged students.

To see the complete plans of all districts and schools, go to March 19, 2026 Board materials.

Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

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Jean Cook, APR
Chief of Communication
601-359-3515
jcook@mdek12.org

Shanderia Minor
Public Information Officer
601-359-3515
sminor@mdek12.org