Elementary Schools in Lowndes County School District

The three elementary schools in the Lowndes County School District serve grades PK–5 (with West Lowndes adding 6th grade) and enroll about 2,500 students across a mostly rural Mississippi area. The district ranks 53rd out of 134 Mississippi districts, earning a 3-star rating, but that single rating hides a dramatic range of outcomes among its schools.

Caledonia Elementary is the clear academic leader, ranking 30th out of 377 Mississippi elementary schools (92nd percentile, 5 stars) with a combined proficiency of 72.6% across ELA, math, and science. It outperforms the state by large margins in nearly every grade and subject, including a remarkable 89.6% proficiency in 5th grade science, and has the lowest chronic absenteeism in the district at 9.6%. By contrast, West Lowndes Elementary is a serious concern: it ranks 302nd (20th percentile, 1 star) and posts just 37.2% combined proficiency, with 98.55% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch and chronic absenteeism at 14.0%. Sitting between them, New Hope Elementary is a stable 3-star school (55th percentile) with 52.8% combined proficiency, near district averages but with math skills lagging—only 39.2% proficiency in 5th grade math.

The 35-point proficiency gap between Caledonia and West Lowndes tracks closely with poverty levels, from 51% free/reduced lunch at Caledonia to 99% at West Lowndes—a classic equity challenge. Interestingly, West Lowndes actually has the lowest student-teacher ratio (11.1 vs. 14.0 elsewhere), yet smaller classes haven’t translated into higher scores. Chronic absenteeism is low at all three schools compared to state averages, so that’s not the driver. Science is a district-wide strength, with all three schools posting 64.5% or higher in 5th grade science. West Lowndes also shows volatile year-to-year swings, likely due to its small enrollment, while Caledonia remains consistently elite and New Hope stays dependably in the middle. For parents, the takeaway is clear: Caledonia is among the best in Mississippi, New Hope is solid, and West Lowndes is in urgent need of additional support.