Best Middle Schools in Marks, MS

Marks, Mississippi is home to a single middle school: Quitman County Middle School in the Quitman County School District. Serving grades 5 through 8 with an enrollment of 265, the school operates with a student-teacher ratio of 25.8:1 and a 100% free/reduced lunch eligibility rate, meaning every student is economically disadvantaged. Chronic absenteeism was 24.3% in 2023-2024, slightly above the state average of 23.9%.

Quitman County Middle School has consistently earned a 1-star rating, ranking in the bottom fifth to bottom quarter of Mississippi middle schools. Overall MAAP proficiency improved from 28.8% in 2024-2025 to 31.5% in 2025-2026, but remains more than 20 points below the state average. English Language Arts is the weakest subject at 27.1% proficiency versus 45.4% statewide, with 7th grade ELA particularly low at 18.4%. Math proficiency averages 27.4% compared to 52.9% statewide, but this hides significant variation between grade levels.

Science is the school's clear relative strength. In 2024-2025, 8th grade science reached 52.4% proficiency, just 2.3 points behind the state average. Overall science proficiency improved to 48.5% in 2025-2026. Sixth grade math also stands out at 44.6% proficiency, only 8.1 points from the state average. That cohort jumped from 14.7% proficiency as 5th graders to 44.6% as 6th graders, showing what is possible. However, some cohorts drop sharply — 7th graders fell from 36.4% to 17.0% in 8th grade math — and chronic absenteeism affects about one in four students. Parents should expect significant challenges at Quitman County Middle School, but the improving science scores and pockets of math success offer reason for cautious optimism.