Lake Cormorant and Lewisburg schools honored as Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading Schools

Aug. 12, 2025 – Two DeSoto County schools—Lake Cormorant Elementary and Lewisburg Primary—have earned statewide recognition as Mississippi Emerging Science of Reading (SOR) Schools for the 2025-26 academic year, the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced Monday.

They are among seven elementary schools across the state to receive the Emerging SOR designation, which celebrates schools that have trained teachers in the science of reading, shifted instructional practices, and fostered a culture focused on building strong readers from kindergarten through third grade.

Joining Lake Cormorant and Lewisburg on the 2025-26 Emerging SOR list are Luther Branson Elementary (Madison County), McLaurin Elementary and Pelahatchie Elementary (Rankin County), and North Bay and Waveland Elementary (Bay-Waveland School District). Senatobia Elementary was named the sole Mississippi Science of Reading School, a distinction reserved for schools that have held the Emerging SOR title for two consecutive years.

To mark the achievement, MDE’s Literacy Leadership Team will visit each school beginning Tuesday, Aug. 12. Lewisburg Primary will kick off the celebration at 9 a.m., followed by Lake Cormorant Elementary at 1 p.m. the same day.

Since launching the recognition program in 2021-22, MDE has honored 26 schools for their commitment to literacy excellence. All K-5 schools in Mississippi are invited to apply annually each spring.

Celebration Schedule Highlights:

• Aug. 12, 9 a.m. – Lewisburg Primary
• Aug. 12, 1 p.m. – Lake Cormorant Elementary

Chickasaw Elementary in Olive Branch earned this recognition in the 2024-2025 school year.