Summary:
Ashland High School is the only high school in the Benton County School District, serving grades 7–12 with just 212 students in Ashland, MS. This makes for a small, tight-knit school where grade-level cohorts average around 35 students, and it is situated in a high-poverty community, with 88.21% of students receiving free/reduced lunch. The school does offer a favorable 10.4:1 student-teacher ratio, which can support individualized attention despite the challenges that come with a small, economically disadvantaged population.
Academically, the picture is mixed. Ashland High School posts a strong 96.3% graduation rate, well above the state average of 89.2%, yet its state accountability ranking is low: 181st out of 224 high schools for 2025–2026, earning just 1 star and placing it in the 19th percentile, while the district overall sits at the 51st percentile. Proficiency across all tested subjects averages just 30.1%, compared to 44.3% for the district and 52.9% for the state. Mathematics stands out as a major weakness—Algebra I proficiency is 28.9% versus 66.0% statewide, and 8th-grade math sits at 19.3% versus 51.4%. Science scores are also lagging. However, English II is a relative strength at 45.9%, nearly matching the state rate of 49.3%, and U.S. History was a clear bright spot in 2024–2025, with 80.6% of students proficient, exceeding both district and state averages.
The school has shown some progress, climbing from the bottom 6% of rankings in 2023–2024 to the 19th percentile today, but it remains in the bottom fifth of Mississippi high schools. Chronic absenteeism is a concern, affecting 23.3% of students, which likely contributes to lower proficiency. Because enrollment is so small, year-to-year score swings can be dramatic and may not reflect true programmatic changes. Overall, Ashland High School offers a personalized environment and a strong graduation rate, but families should be aware that math, science, and early-grade literacy need significant attention to bring academic outcomes in line with state averages.
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