Summary:
Leake County School District has just one middle school, Leake Central Junior High School, serving grades 6–8 in Carthage, MS, with an enrollment of 383 students. Because this is the district’s only middle school, it serves as the central hub for all local students in those grades, and its performance directly shapes the district’s overall academic profile. The school is high-poverty, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14:1.
A few bright spots stand out. In 2024–2025, 100% of tested students scored proficient on the Algebra I End of Course exam, far exceeding the district average of 60.8% and the state average of 67.3%. Math is generally the school’s relative strength, especially in 7th grade, where proficiency reached 47.1% in 2025–2026—above the district’s 44.3%. Eighth-grade science also edged past the district (40.8% vs. 38.2%). However, English Language Arts is a consistent weakness, with 6th grade proficiency at just 27.0% in 2025–2026, compared to the state’s 48.0%. Chronic absenteeism is better than both district and state averages (20.4% vs. 23.8% and 23.9%), but still means one in five students misses too much school.
The school’s statewide ranking has declined steadily, from the 30th percentile in 2023–2024 to the 20th percentile in 2025–2026, and it now holds a 1-star rating. Year-over-year results are mixed—6th grade ELA dropped sharply, while 7th grade math improved. For parents, the takeaway is that Leake Central offers a strong advanced math pathway and some competitive science results, but most students are below state averages, particularly in reading and writing. Addressing the ELA gap and reducing chronic absenteeism will be key to improving outcomes for all students.
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