1. The Missouri School Improvement Program has the responsibility of reviewing and
   accrediting the 524 school districts in Missouri within a five-year review cycle. The process of accrediting school districts is mandated by state law.
2. School district reviews are conducted each year for approximately twenty percent (20%) of the 524 districts, and reports covering the areas of resource, process and performance are developed. These reports are reviewed by a Department School Improvement Committee and a summer of each report and the committee’s recommendations regarding accreditation for each district are presented to the State Board of Education for its approval. Each district also submits a School Improvement Plan which addresses the concerns identified in the review report and may request a re-review in order to improve its accreditation rating.
3. “Waiver of Regulations” - The State Board of Education establishes the criteria and procedures for annually identifying school district and/or school building eligibility for waivers. The student performance data will be reviewed, and the commissioner will notify districts if they are eligible for a waiver. Districts may respond to this notification by either accepting or rejecting such waiver. The MSIP Waiver is an annual waiver and may be received for five (5) consecutive years. Festus School District has received “waivers” in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

The district profile as reported by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may be accessed by clicking on the link below.