Mississippi High School Parent Communication Guide for Teachers

Mississippi's high school teachers work in one of the most resource-constrained educational environments in the country. Low per-pupil spending, high poverty rates, and limited access to college counseling resources mean that the information teachers provide in their newsletters is often the primary way families learn about scholarships, dual enrollment, and college access options. That is a real responsibility and a real opportunity.

Make State Scholarships the Top Priority

Mississippi has two primary state scholarship programs: the MTAG (Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant) for students with financial need attending Mississippi colleges, and the MESG (Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant) for high-achieving students with minimum GPA and ACT requirements. Many Mississippi families, particularly first-generation college families in rural communities, do not know these programs exist. Put the scholarship requirements in your newsletter in 9th grade. Tell families the GPA threshold, the ACT score requirement, and where to find more information at the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid website.

Communicate the Mississippi ACT Administration

Mississippi provides ACT testing to all 11th graders at no cost. The ACT score is the primary requirement for both state scholarships and admission to Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and other public universities. Tell parents the test date in your fall newsletter. Explain how your course connects to ACT content. Point families toward the free Khan Academy ACT prep resource. For many Mississippi students, the school-day ACT is their only opportunity for a free formal test attempt, making preparation guidance from teachers particularly valuable.

Explain the MAAP Assessment and Its Grade Impact

Mississippi's MAAP assessments include end-of-course exams in core subjects. These assessments count toward a student's final course grade. Tell parents which courses have MAAP EOC exams, when the exams are scheduled, and how the score affects the final grade. A parent who knows the EOC counts for a portion of the final grade takes test preparation more seriously and is more likely to check in with their student in the weeks before the exam.

Highlight Dual Enrollment and Community College Access

Mississippi has dual enrollment programs through Mississippi community colleges that allow high school students to earn college credits at reduced or no cost. For families in rural Mississippi where the cost of college is a barrier, dual enrollment can provide a realistic path to credential attainment. Tell parents about dual enrollment options in your newsletter during course selection season. Tell them how credits transfer to Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Mississippi's regional universities.

Design for Mobile Access

Mississippi has among the lowest broadband access rates in the country. Many families, particularly in rural and Delta communities, rely on mobile devices for digital communication. When you design your newsletter, design it for a phone screen. Keep it short. Use clear headings and short paragraphs. Avoid large images that slow loading on limited data connections. A newsletter that reads well on a phone with a weak signal reaches every family. A newsletter optimized for a desktop computer reaches only the families who have one.

A Sample Mississippi High School Newsletter Section

Here is what a scholarship-focused section looks like:

"Mississippi families: the state ACT for all 11th graders is on April 9 at no cost to you. Students who score a 20 or higher may qualify for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant. Students who score a 29 or higher and maintain a 3.5 GPA may qualify for the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant. Free ACT prep is available at khanacademy.org. Contact me or your school counselor if you have questions about scholarship eligibility."

Acknowledge the Local Community Context

Mississippi's history, culture, and landscape are distinctive and deserve to be reflected in classroom content and in teacher communication. When your newsletter acknowledges a local community event, connects curriculum to Mississippi's specific history or geography, or references the agricultural and economic context your students live in, families see a teacher who is teaching in their community rather than just in a generic school. That recognition builds trust.

Send Consistently With Daystage

In communities where access to information about college and scholarships is limited, consistent teacher communication is one of the highest-impact things you can do. Daystage gives Mississippi teachers a fast, mobile-friendly way to write and send newsletters to every family at once. You write your content, add your key dates, and deliver in one click. The consistency of that communication is what separates families who know what is available from families who do not.