Arkansas Advantage

Magnolia Public Schools: Building Readers, One Classroom at a Time

A Spotlight on Central Elementary and Magnolia Middle School

A Focus on Growth and Collaboration

Magnolia Public Schools continues to show what can happen when leadership, teacher expertise, and shared purpose come together to support literacy growth. Led by Superintendent John “Skipper” Ward, the district has made a purposeful investment in reading instruction and intervention, empowering both educators and students.

The district’s guiding motto, “All Belong, All Learn, All Succeed,” captures a philosophy that extends from pre-kindergarten through graduation. Across campuses, educators are united by a shared commitment to the Science of Reading, continuous improvement, and a collaborative approach to instruction. These priorities have already led to measurable growth and a strong sense of optimism about the future for Magnolia students.

While this spotlight focuses on Central Elementary and Magnolia Middle School, outstanding work is also happening at East Side Elementary School (grades K–2), where the earliest readers begin their literacy journey, and at Magnolia High School, where teachers are building on that foundation to ensure every graduate leaves prepared for college, career, and community success.

Central Elementary: Continuing the Journey

At Central Elementary School (grades 3-5), students deepen the literacy foundation established at East Side Elementary through structured, evidence based reading practices and content rich instruction.

Principal Angie Waters and Literacy Facilitator Terri Guess showcased several third grade classrooms that exemplified Magnolia’s strong instructional framework.

In Ms. Amy Vallery’s literacy class, students engaged in weekly morphology practice surrounded by vibrant anchor charts featuring text features, story elements, parts of speech, growth mindset, and daily affirmations. Through purposeful questioning, Vallery encouraged students to make cross disciplinary connections, integrating literacy and science to strengthen comprehension and critical thinking.

In Ms. Gabrielle Jones’s science classroom, students worked through hands-on experiments, forming hypotheses, testing predictions, and recording observations. One student beamed, “Science is the best thing in my life!” This joyful sentiment reflects the district’s culture of curiosity and engagement.

The district’s literacy plan and website highlight Magnolia’s recognition as a Gold Level R.I.S.E. Community by the Arkansas Department of Education, acknowledging its strong community partnerships and its districtwide emphasis on literacy excellence.

Strategic Reading: Strengthening Skills and Confidence

At Magnolia Middle School, the district’s literacy focus continues through the Strategic Reading course, a specialized class designed to support students who benefit from additional reading instruction. Students in this program take both English Language Arts (ELA) and Strategic Reading, effectively doubling their minutes of literacy learning each day.

Teachers selected to lead these courses are trained interventionists with targeted dyslexia certifications. They guide small groups through rotations of whole group, small group, and independent practice, providing differentiated instruction that builds fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary.

Seventh grade teacher Kendra Holley engaged students in a vocabulary lesson focused on morphology, encouraging them to analyze how prefixes, roots, and suffixes influence meaning. Down the hall, sixth grade teacher Melinda Black guided students through a reading lesson emphasizing comprehension, vocabulary, and reflection, helping them read with purpose and confidence.

Accompanying the tour were Assistant Principal Krissy Clober, Superintendent Ward, and Literacy Facilitator Melissa Matthews, who provide ongoing instructional support to ensure consistency in the district’s literacy approach. The leadership team noted that implementing the Strategic Reading program required creative scheduling, resource coordination, and collaboration across teams, a challenge that has paid dividends in student growth and engagement.

A District on the Rise

Magnolia Public Schools continues to anticipate even greater gains as its literacy initiatives evolve. The district’s literacy plan emphasizes sustained training, data driven decision making, and high quality instructional materials aligned to the Science of Reading. Administrators, facilitators, and teachers are working together to ensure that every student builds the skills and confidence needed for lifelong learning.

From the foundational work at East Side Elementary, to the deepening literacy practice at Central Elementary, to the targeted interventions at Magnolia Middle School, and the continued application at Magnolia High School, the educators are demonstrating the power of alignment when classroom practice, collaboration, and leadership all move in the same direction. Magnolia’s story is one of growth, teamwork, and enduring promise for the future of Arkansas students.