The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has designated 15 elementary schools as Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading (SOR) Schools and one school as a Mississippi Science of Reading School for the 2026-2027 school year.
This recognition is for schools that have trained teachers in the Science of Reading, exemplified a change of instructional practices, and embodied a school culture that focuses on building skillful, strong readers in kindergarten through third grade.
All Mississippi K-5 schools are invited annually each spring to apply for the Science of Reading recognition. MDE began offering this award in the 2021-22 school year, and to date, 33 different schools have received this recognition. Schools must reapply annually to receive the designation.
The Mississippi Science of Reading School for 2026-27 is Senatobia Elementary in the Senatobia Municipal School District.
MDE’s K-3 Literacy Leadership Team will travel to each campus of the 15 Mississippi Emerging SOR Schools starting Monday, Aug. 17, to celebrate this accomplishment.
2026-27 Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading Schools Celebration Schedule
| School | District | Date | Time |
| Pineville Elementary | Harrison County | August 17 | 8:30 a.m. |
| Waveland Elementary | Bay-Waveland | August 17 | 10 a.m. |
| North Bay Elementary | Bay-Waveland | August 17 | 12:30 p.m. |
| McLaurin Elementary | Rankin County | August 18 | 8:15 a.m. |
| Pelahatchie Elementary | Rankin County | August 18 | 10 a.m. |
| Luther Branson Elementary | Madison County | August 18 | 1 p.m. |
| Chickasaw Elementary | DeSoto County | August 19 | 8:30 a.m. |
| Lewisburg Primary | DeSoto County | August 19 | 10 a.m. |
| Lewisburg Elementary | DeSoto County | August 19 | 12:45 p.m. |
| Lake Cormorant Elementary | DeSoto County | August 20 | 1 p.m. |
| Hernando Hills Elementary | DeSoto County | August 20 | 8:15 a.m. |
| Oak Grove Central Elementary | DeSoto County | August 20 | 9:15 a.m. |
| New Hope Lower Elementary | Lowndes County | August 24 | 8:30 a.m. |
| New Hope Upper Elementary | Lowndes County | August 24 | 9:45 a.m. |
| Caledonia Elementary | Lowndes County | August 24 | 1 p.m. |
*This announcement was updated on Aug. 5 to reflect new times of the celebrations at Hernando Hills, Oak Grove Central and Lake Cormorant.