Best High Schools in Macon, MS

There is one high school in Macon, Mississippi — Noxubee County High — serving grades 9 through 12 with 405 students enrolled in the Noxubee County School District. The school's most striking development is a major rise in its statewide ranking, moving from the 9th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 41st percentile in 2025–2026 — a climb of 75 places and from a 0-star to a 2-star rating. That momentum is real, but it is uneven across subjects, and the school faces serious challenges tied to poverty and attendance.

For parents, the most encouraging news is in English. The school’s English II proficiency rate jumped from 30.5% to 52.6% in a single year, now exceeding the state average of 49.3%. Algebra I also improved, from 50% to 54.5% proficient, though it remains below the state average of 66%. The biggest red flag is Biology: proficiency fell from 56% to 35% over the same period, leaving the school 28 points behind the state average. U.S. History proficiency, at 50.9%, also trails the state’s 69.7%. The graduation rate is 81.3%, matching the district but sitting nearly 8 points below the state’s 89.2%. With a low student–teacher ratio of 11.2 to 1, there is potential for individual attention, but that advantage is diluted by a 35.5% chronic absenteeism rate — the highest in the area, and far above the state’s 23.9%.

Every student at Noxubee County High qualifies for free or reduced lunch, meaning the entire student body faces economic disadvantage. That makes the school’s recent gains in ranking and English achievement even more notable. However, because this is the only high school in the district, its performance is the district’s performance — there are no other local schools to compare. Parents considering this school should weigh its clear improvements in literacy and overall standing against the urgent need for stronger science instruction, better attendance, and a higher graduation rate. The school is moving in the right direction, but sustained focus on science and getting students to class will be critical.