RESERVE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District retained its B letter grade for the second consecutive year, according to Thursday’s release of the Louisiana Department of Education accountability report.

The school system’s District Performance Score held steady at 85.2. The score is based on student achievement on annual assessments, academic indicators and measures of career and college readiness, such Carnegie credits earned through ninth grade, graduation rates, ACT scores and earning Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and Dual Enrollment.

School District leaders stressed St. John Parish Public Schools is the only district in Louisiana to attain a B rating while serving a student population where at least 82 percent is classified as economically disadvantaged.

“We are proud of the work we are doing to help those students who need it the most and are encouraged that we are giving our graduates the tools they need to pursue their dreams after high school,” Superintendent Kevin George said. “We are always looking for ways to improve and will use all the data in the accountability reports to see where we can do a better job for our students and to take steps to bring us closer to our ultimate goal of becoming an A district.”

District leaders said there were significant gains in ACT Assessment Index, which rose 17.4 points from last year. The index awards points to districts when students score 18 or above on the ACT, a key measurement of students’ readiness for college.

The district also earned the maximum of 10 Progress Points, which are awarded to districts that make a significant difference in improving the scores of students who previously scored non-proficient on standardized tests.

East St. John Elementary School showed the most growth among parish public schools, increasing its school performance score by 9.5 points. Garyville-Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School followed close behind, improving 9.3 points since last year.

John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School maintained its A grade for a fifth consecutive year, increasing its score 2.8 points to a 103.7.