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 6 public elementary schools serving 3,628 students in Lowndes County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 10/10, which is in the top 10% of public elementary schools in Mississippi.
Public Elementary Schools in Lowndes County School District have an average math proficiency score of 66% (versus the Mississippi public elementary school average of 51%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 43% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public elementary school average of 58% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MS)
# Schools
10 Schools
682 Schools
# Students
5,261 Students
286,688 Students
# Teachers
406 Teachers
19,842 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%
7%
% Black
37%
43%
% White
56%
42%
% 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 Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Caledonia Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
9509 Wolfe Rd
Caledonia, MS 39740
(662) 356-2050
Caledonia, MS 39740
(662) 356-2050
Gr: PK-5 | 1,070 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
New Hope Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
199 Enlow Road
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4760
Columbus, MS 39702
(662) 244-4760
Gr: PK-5 | 1,191 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
West Lowndes Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1000 Gilmer Wilburn Road
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5050
Columbus, MS 39701
(662) 244-5050
Gr: PK-6 | 276 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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.
