High Schools in Lawrence County School District

Lawrence County School District in Mississippi contains just one traditional high school, Lawrence County High School in Monticello, serving grades 9 through 12 with 529 students and a high-poverty population where nearly two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. For parents, the most important takeaway is that this is a school with serious challenges but also some promising recent gains in math and science. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom third of Mississippi high schools, with its percentile slipping from 28th to 19th in the latest year. Chronic absenteeism is the most urgent red flag: 46.5% of students miss enough school to be considered chronically absent, which is roughly double the state average of 23.9% and far above the district rate of 30.4%. Not surprisingly, the graduation rate of 81.2% is about 8 points below the state average of 89.2%, though it is slightly above the district average.

Looking at state test results, Lawrence County High School still trails Mississippi averages in every subject, but the recent trend offers some hope. Algebra I proficiency jumped from 32.1% to 50.0% in one year, a nearly 18-point gain, even as the state average dipped slightly. Biology proficiency also improved dramatically, rising from 27.5% to 42.2%, narrowing the gap with the state from 35 points to 21 points. On the other hand, English II slipped from 38.9% to 35.9% and remains below 40%, identifying literacy as a key weak spot. U.S. History data is unavailable for the most recent year, but the prior score of 50.8% was still well below the state’s 69.7%.

Because this is the only high school in the district, there are no in-district rivals to compare, but parents should note the disconnect between the school’s low ranking and the district’s overall 46th percentile standing among Mississippi districts, suggesting that the district’s elementary and middle schools may be outperforming the high school. The bright spot is that the large improvements in Algebra I and Biology show that targeted instructional efforts can work. However, sustained progress will depend heavily on improving attendance, providing extra support in English, and continuing the positive momentum in math and science.