Best Public Schools in Lucedale, MS

The city of Lucedale, Mississippi, is served by 8 public schools in the George County School District, a 4-star district ranked in the top 20% of Mississippi districts, with schools spanning elementary through high school and serving about 4,049 students in a rural setting. Overall, Lucedale families can expect strong elementary foundations, excellent science instruction, and a high graduation rate, but there are clear weaknesses at the middle school level and in chronic absenteeism among secondary students.

The brightest spots are spread across the district. Rocky Creek Elementary School is the district's most consistent performer, staying in the 81st percentile for three straight years with strong ELA and math proficiency in grades 5 and 6. Benndale Elementary School has made the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 53rd to the 84th percentile in two years, and it leads the district with 94.1% proficiency in 5th grade science. It also has the lowest student-teacher ratio (9.7 to 1), though its small size (138 students) means scores can swing year to year. George County High School stands out for its 96% graduation rate, well above the state average, and strong Biology proficiency (79.6% vs. 63.1% statewide). Meanwhile, Central Elementary School and Agricola Elementary School both rank in the mid-70th percentile with solid 4-star ratings, making them dependable choices as well.

The most urgent areas for concern are George County Middle School and LT Taylor Intermediate School. George County Middle ranks in the 45th percentile with the district's highest chronic absenteeism rate (38.2%), and its 7th and 8th grade math and ELA scores trail state averages significantly. LT Taylor ranks in the 48th percentile with particularly low 7th grade ELA (28.8%) and 8th grade math (37.4%). For parents, the pattern is clear: elementary schools are generally strong, the high school graduates students successfully, and science is a district-wide strength. The middle school years are where extra attention and support may be needed most, especially around attendance, as all schools in the district face above-average chronic absenteeism rates.