Neshoba County Schools

Neshoba County Schools is a five-star district in east-central Mississippi serving roughly 2,972 students across three schools: Neshoba Central Elementary School (PK–5), Neshoba Central Middle School (6–8), and Neshoba Central High School (9–12). The district ranks 3rd out of 134 Mississippi districts, placing it in the top 2% statewide, and all three schools earn top ratings despite about two-thirds of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

The high school is the district’s biggest improver, leaping from the 60th percentile to the 92nd percentile in just two years and earning a 5-star rating with a 96.6% graduation rate. The middle school is the consistent star, ranking in the 95th percentile or higher in recent years and posting exceptional math scores—84.4% of 8th graders are proficient, 33 points above the state. The elementary school serves as the academic foundation, ranking 44th out of 377 Mississippi elementary schools with standout 5th grade science (84% proficient) and 4th grade math (73.5% proficient).

Math is the district’s clear strength, with every grade level scoring well above state averages, and high school Biology proficiency is remarkable at 91.9%. The district’s relative weak spot is English Language Arts, especially in middle school, where 7th grade ELA dropped to 46% proficiency. Chronic absenteeism at the high school (30.3%) is a red flag, even though the school still achieves at a high level. With low student–teacher ratios, particularly at the middle school (12.3), and strong vertical alignment across grade bands, this is a cohesive, high-performing district that outperforms state averages across nearly every subject.