Video: Okolona Students Making The Grade

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OKOLONA, Miss. (WCBI) – After struggling with academic failure, the Okolona School District is now getting good marks…and the proof is in the students state test scores.

Awards are being handed out to students and even their teachers in the Okolona School District. Students in both elementary and high school have scored high marks on the MCT/SATP2 Tests.

“All kids collectively did an amazing job and it was our duty to reward them appropriately,” said John Standfield, Dollars For Scholars, Director.

Not only did the school district hand out 10 electronic nook tablets to students in grades three through twelve, for their hard work they were also rewarded cash money.

“We feel as though money is the best motivator,” said Standfield.

“I was the smartest kid in elementary school so I got seventy five dollars,” said Jordan Isbell, Elementary Student.

“Well I really like the award, I just wished that we could reward other kids that also had done good, cause I know I’m not the only one that did good myself,” said Ashley Gates, Senior.

After such high achievement these students believe anything is possible….so they are setting future goals.

“I always want to be a scientist so I’m just going to keep working in school so I can be a scientist,” said Isbell.

“I’m going to Northeast to study nursing and then I’m going to fulfill my long term dream of being a podiatrist,” added Gates.

The district was once classified as “failing”, now the students can C their way up the academic ladder.

“We moved from an F to a C, we are a successful school district,” added Standfield.

Officials, Students, and teachers are setting goals for a  B on their report cards the next time around.