Zachary Community School District officials were once again pleased with the district performance data when the Louisiana Department of Education conducted the fall 2012 accountability release Monday.

For the eighth year in a row, the Zachary Community School District ranked as the top performing school district in the state. The district performance score grew by 13.4 points to 134.7.

“We are proud to celebrate the continued success of our school district with our 8th straight #1. Moreover, we are excited that this continues to affirm the quality of education we know is taking place in our schools every day,” said Interim Superintendent Gordon Robertson in a press release issued Monday afternoon.

Zachary’s schools continue to grow overall with a score increase of 20 percent since 2008. Every school in the district achieved academic growth.

Five of the district’s schools have achieved the state goal of 120 school performance score and a letter grade rating of “A”. Only 12.6 percent of schools in the state achieved the “A” rating.

Northwestern Elementary School, Northwestern Middle School, Zachary Elementary School and Zachary High School achieved Top Gains and will receive a monetary stipend from the state to be spent on instructional programs.

Under the current accountability system, alternative schools are evaluated using the same system as traditional schools. The Louisiana Department of Education is studying the system to determine a more appropriate measure for these schools.

Port Hudson Career Academy, the district’s alternative school, received a baseline SPS of 43.0 in 2011 and received a baseline SPS of 64.1 in 2012.

“We are working to meet the challenges facing our teachers and students with changes in assessment and the accountability system, but this is an accomplishment that we celebrate. We are very proud of the work they are doing,” Robertson said.

More information on the state accountability release, data can be found at www.louisianaschools.net.