The Twin Rivers R-X School District once again increased its annual performance report score, which is composed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to determine accreditation.
A total of 140 points is available and Twin Rivers collected 117.5 points, resulting in a 83.9 percent and accreditation for 2017.
"It's positive anytime we can make improvements," Superintendent Jeremy Siebert said. "We have improved almost 10 percent in the past three years."
The district received an 83.6 percent score in 2016, 78.6 percent in 2015 and 74.6 percent in 2014.
APR points are drawn from attendance and graduation rates, college and career readiness, academic achievement and subgroup achievement.
DESE defines "subgroups" as disabled, minority, free and reduced lunch and other students.
Districts scoring above 90 percent are designated as accredited with distinction, those falling below 70 percent are scored as provisional accreditation and those falling below 50 percent risk loosing accreditation completely.
Twin Rivers saw a two point increase from 2016 in college and career readiness, which looks at test scores from the ACT, SAT, COMPASS, ASVAB and WorkKeys, as well as post-secondary and advanced placement courses. Of the 30 possible college and career readiness points, the district was awarded 26 points.
Siebert said the entire district, from administration to parents, is putting in the work to raise scores.
"The teachers and administration are working together, the students are buying into what they are doing and parents are supporting," Siebert said. "We have good families in our district."
Throughout the school year, students prepare by taking benchmark and DESE practice tests which provide feedback in areas to improve, Siebert said.
While still scoring an overall better APR score than the previous year, Twin Rivers did have a slight decrease in the science and social studies areas by losing one point in science and a half point in social studies.
"We want to score well in all subjects," Siebert said.
To achieve this, he said training would continue for teachers on standards that will be tested, which can change each year, and professional development.
While individual building's scores within the district have not yet been released, Siebert said the most noticeable improvements have come from the Fisk campus over the last couple years and believes the building is on track to receive higher scores once again in 2017.
Siebert praised Fisk Principal Leean Mann, staff and students for their hard work and looks for scores to continue to rise going forward.
The district once again shined in attendance and graduation rates scoring 10 out of 10 points in each category, exceeding 90 percent.
While proficient and advanced scores and attendance earn Twin Rivers' students rewards such as trips and class parties, Siebert said, "the good people" in place throughout the district are to credit.
Like at most schools, if counselors notice a student missing school, they will reach out and work to get the student's attendance back on track.
Siebert said testing has always been a focus within the district and the importance of rest and preparation before testing is stressed to students as well as parents.
"Principals, teachers and everyone in the district is working hard to improve scores each year," he said. "We have a staff willing to do what needs to be done and that is why we see improvement in the district."
As for future goals of Twin Rivers, Siebert said he would love to see the district receive accreditation with distinction, but realizes it will not happen overnight.
"I am pleased with where we are at, but not compliant," Siebert said. "We always want to get better."