ASCENSION – Ascension Public Schools remain ranked as the fourth top performing public school district in the state according to the 2015-2016 school report cards released Thursday by the Louisiana Department of Education.

Ascension has maintained its "A" ranking for the fifth consecutive year with an overall performance score of 109.3, up from 107.4 last year. Zachary Community Schools was ranked first for top performing school districts, followed by Central Community Schools as second. Livingston Parish Schools was ranked third and Vernon Parish Schools was ranked fifth. 

"Achieving an 'A' rating for a school district as large and diverse as Ascension Parish is a monumental task, but maintaining and growing at a top level is truly commendable," said Ascension Public Schools Superintendent David Alexander. 

"We applaud our students for their commitment to education, our parents for instilling values and strong work ethic in their children, and our community partners for their participation in our schools to support learning," he said.

Out of the district's 27 schools, 12 earned an "A" score, nine earned a "B," three earned a "C," one earned a "D," and two earned an "F."

The 12 schools that earned the "A" scores are Dutchtown Primary, Galvez Primary, Lakeside Primary, Oak Grove Primary, Prairieville Primary, St. Amant Primary, Lake Elementary, Dutchtown Middle, Prairieville Middle, Dutchtown High, East Ascension High and St. Amant High.

Schools that increased a letter grade this year were:

- G.W. Carver Primary ( moved from an 81.8 "C" to an 89.3 "B")

- East Ascension High (moved from a 97.9 "B" to a 101.1 "A")

- St. Amant Primary (moved from a 95.9 "B" to a 103.5 "A")

Other schools achievements are below:

DONALDSONVILLE HIGH CHASING A "B"

Donaldsonville High School grew 8.3 points this year and with a score of 84.6 is only 0.4 points away from earning a "B" grade. Contributing to this year's success was a 20.5 point growth in the ACT Assessment Index and 10 Progress Points.

EAST ASCENSION HIGH EARNS "A" RATING

East Ascension High jumped up a letter grade, earning an "A" score of 101.1. Contributing to this year's success was a 5.2 point growth in Strength of Diploma Graduation Index and a 19.4 point growth in the ACT Assessment Index.

ST. AMANT HIGH OBTAINS "TOP GAINS SCHOOL" DESIGNATION

St. Amant High School's increase from a 109.5 "A" to a 114.7 "A" earned the district's only "Top Gains School" designation by the Louisiana Department of Education. Contributing to this year's success was a 2.6 point growth in Strength of Diploma Graduation Index and a 13.6 point growth in the ACT Assessment Index.

DUTCHTOWN HIGH ACHIEVES THE DISTRICT'S TOP SCORE

Dutchtown High School's score of a 120.1 "A", up from 119.6, is the highest overall school score in Ascension Parish. Contributing to this year's success was a 7.4 point increase in the ACT Assessment Index and a 2.0 point increase in the Cohort Graduation Rate.

For a complete listing of scores, visit the Louisiana Department of Education's website at www.louisianabelieves.com/assessment/school-letter-grades.