Top Rankings
Lowndes County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Mississippi for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 1,297 students in Lowndes County School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public middle schools in Mississippi.
Public Middle Schools in Lowndes County School District have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Mississippi public middle school average of 50%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 39% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public middle school average of 54% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MS)
# Schools
10 Schools
354 Schools
# Students
5,261 Students
130,366 Students
# Teachers
406 Teachers
10,047 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Lowndes County School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 147 school districts in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 92% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#18 out of 148 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
65%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
42%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
62%
55%
Graduation Rate
92%
89%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.63
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
1%
% Hispanic
3%
6%
% Black
37%
40%
% White
56%
46%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,566 is higher than the state median of $12,408. The school district revenue/student has grown by 22% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,808 is less than the state median of $12,276. The school district spending/student has grown by 11% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$71 MM
$5,371 MM
Spending
$57 MM
$5,314 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,566
$12,408
Spending / Student
$10,808
$12,276
Best Lowndes County School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Caledonia Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
105 Confederate Drive
Caledonia, MS 39740
(662) 356-2042
Caledonia, MS 39740
(662) 356-2042
Gr: 6-8 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #22.
New Hope Middle School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3419 New Hope Rd
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4740
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4740
Gr: 6-8 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #33.
West Lowndes High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
644 South Frontage Road
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5070
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5070
Gr: 7-12 | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
Lowndes County Alternative School
Alternative School
3419 New Hope Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5060
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-5060
Gr: PK-12
Recent Articles
How Public Schools Train Staff Each Year
Learn how public schools train staff each year through professional development, safety training, technology instruction, and ongoing educational support.
What Substitute Teachers Experience in Public Schools
Discover what substitute teachers experience in public schools, including daily responsibilities, challenges, rewards, and their role in student success.
How Teachers Collaborate Across Departments in Public Schools
Learn how teachers collaborate across departments to improve student outcomes, strengthen instruction, and prepare students for real-world success.
