Students at McLaurin Elementary School had fours on their mind Friday, and on their shirts too.

The third- and fourth-grade students got a break from test preparation for a Mississippi Curriculum Test kickoff celebration. The statewide tests will be given May 1-3.

And the goal is four.

McLaurin is currently a level 3 school by Mississippi’s academic rankings, but they plan to change that number this year. The state ranks schools on a 1-5 scale, five being the best.

Teachers and staff served as cheerleaders, fictional characters and sumo wrestlers, the Robert Lewis Middle School drum line provided the tunes and Natchez High football coach Lance Reed offered up some motivational words.

Reed told the students it takes hard work, confidence and dedication to succeed in life and that they needed all three to ace the MCT.

Third-grade teacher Amy Smith told the students they were prepared for this test.

“We have worked since August to get ready for this test,” she said. “When it comes, sit down, take a deep breath and the first thing you do is read the question.”

Third-grader Ann Marie Earnest said she would be nervous when test day came.

“The reading part might be hard,” she said. “Because some questions you might not know.”

But classmate Crystal Gordon said she was ready for the test.

“We studied and worked really hard,” she said.

“We’ll do our best.”

Students and teachers will spend the next six school days reviewing test materials.

Smith, who organized Friday’s event, said all the testable material has already been taught.

“We are focused,” she said.

“We have been focused, and we know what the job is.

“Everything’s been done. Now it’s a matter of getting the kids settled.

“If every child does their best, we’ll get there.”

All Natchez-Adams schools with students in grades two through 12 will be testing May 1-3.