Southern States Show Major Education Gains, Defy Poverty Challenges

GEO Prep Mid-City Academy in Baton Rouge exemplifies a broader revival in public education in southern states like Louisiana and Mississippi, which have seen significant gains in student achievement despite longstanding poverty and low education funding. The school's turnaround was driven by a focus on proven curriculum, intensive teacher training, and sustained accountability, rather than chasing educational trends. This approach has helped lift reading proficiency to the top third statewide, challenging assumptions that higher spending or strong teachers’ unions are prerequisites for educational success. The transformation at Mid-City, and similar improvements in other southern schools, suggest that fundamental academic practices and leadership can drive progress even in disadvantaged communities.