For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 4,501 students in Bolivar County, MS (there are 2 private schools, serving 695 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Bolivar County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Bolivar County, MS are Bell Academy, Hayes Cooper Center and Casper E Hall. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bolivar County, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Bolivar County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Bolivar County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bell Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1016 Taylor Street
Boyle, MS 38730
(662) 843-4572
Boyle, MS 38730
(662) 843-4572
Gr: PK-6 | 327 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
Hayes Cooper Center
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
500 Martin L. King
Cleveland, MS 38733
(662) 748-2734
Cleveland, MS 38733
(662) 748-2734
Gr: PK-6 | 304 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #33.
Casper E Hall
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
615 School St
Duncan, MS 38740
(662) 337-6523
Duncan, MS 38740
(662) 337-6523
Gr: PK-6 | 194 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #44.
Cleveland Central High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
300 W. Sunflower St
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-2460
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-2460
Gr: 9-12 | 799 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #55.
Parks Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1301 Terrace Road
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-3166
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-3166
Gr: PK-6 | 265 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
I. T. Montgomery Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
202 Martin L. King Drive
Mound Bayou, MS 38762
(662) 333-8952
Mound Bayou, MS 38762
(662) 333-8952
Gr: PK-6 | 185 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Northside High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1305 Martin Luther King Drive
Mound Bayou, MS 38762
(662) 398-2372
Mound Bayou, MS 38762
(662) 398-2372
Gr: 7-12 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
Rank: #88.
Cleveland Central Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 Lucy Seabery Dr
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-2338
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-2338
Gr: 7-8 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #99.
Pearman Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
306 Merritt Drive
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-4484
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-4484
Gr: 1-6 | 186 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1010.
Shaw High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 Hwy 61 North, Post Office
Shaw, MS 38773
(662) 754-6109
Shaw, MS 38773
(662) 754-6109
Gr: 7-12 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1111.
D.m. Smith Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
715 Martin Luther King Dr
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-4355
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-4355
Gr: 3-6 | 233 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Rank: #1212.
Mcevans Elementary School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 18% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 Hwy 61 North, Post Office
Shaw, MS 38773
(662) 754-6109
Shaw, MS 38773
(662) 754-6109
Gr: K-6 | 204 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
West Bolivar Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1212 South Main Street, Po Box
Rosedale, MS 38769
(662) 759-3823
Rosedale, MS 38769
(662) 759-3823
Gr: K-6 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
West Bolivar High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1213 South Main, Po Box 159
Rosedale, MS 38769
(662) 759-3743
Rosedale, MS 38769
(662) 759-3743
Gr: 7-12 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Alternative School
Alternative School
601 Third Street
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 846-6478
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 846-6478
Gr: 5-12
Rank: n/an/a
Cleveland Voc Tech Complex
Vocational School
601 Third Street
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-8818
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-8818
Gr: 8-12
Rank: n/an/a
Joe Barnes Vocational Center
Vocational School
505 Bradford Street, Post Offi
Rosedale, MS 38769
(662) 759-3791
Rosedale, MS 38769
(662) 759-3791
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
600 Cross Street
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-4528
Cleveland, MS 38732
(662) 843-4528
Gr: PK-2 | 256 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Bolivar County, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Bolivar County, MS include Bell Academy, Hayes Cooper Center and Casper E Hall.
How many public schools are located in Bolivar County?
18 public schools are located in Bolivar County.
What percentage of students in Bolivar County go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Bolivar County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bolivar County?
Bolivar County public schools minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Bolivar County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Bolivar County include: Hayes Cooper Center vs. Bell Academy, Pearman Elementary School vs. Parks Elementary School, Bell Academy vs. Hayes Cooper Center
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
