Best Public Schools in Bruce, MS

The city of Bruce, Mississippi is home to two schools: Bruce High School and Bruce Elementary School, both part of the Calhoun County School District. While Bruce High School stands out as a strong performer, with consistent top-half rankings in the state and above-average test scores, Bruce Elementary has more mixed results, with a middling statewide ranking and uneven academic outcomes.

Bruce High School has maintained a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past 3 years and boasts an impressive 89.4% four-year graduation rate, well above the state average. The school performs above the district and state averages on many standardized test metrics, particularly in Algebra I, English II, Biology, and U.S. History. In contrast, Bruce Elementary School has a 3-star rating but its statewide ranking has hovered around the middle of the pack for Mississippi elementary schools, and its test scores are more mixed, with some grades performing above the district and state, while others fall below.

Both schools face challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates of 23.9%, well above the state average. Additionally, a majority of students at both schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant socioeconomic challenges in the community. The data suggests a potential disparity in the quality of education between the elementary and high school levels, an area that warrants further investigation by the district and community stakeholders.