Summary:
The Nettleton School District in Mississippi is served by two elementary schools—Nettleton Primary School (grades K–2) and Nettleton Elementary School (grades 3–5)—collectively enrolling 435 students in a high-poverty community where more than 82% of children qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Both schools stand out in different ways. Nettleton Elementary School has shown impressive academic momentum, rising from the 37th percentile to the 69th percentile in statewide rankings and improving from a 2-star to a 3-star rating. It outperforms state averages in most 3rd and 4th grade subjects, with 3rd grade ELA proficiency at 68.1%—nearly 20 points above the state average. Meanwhile, Nettleton Primary School excels at keeping students in class, posting a chronic absenteeism rate of just 15.8%, roughly half the district rate of 28.1%. Nettleton Elementary School has a higher absenteeism rate at 19.8%, but both schools sit well below district and state averages, suggesting the district's absenteeism challenge is concentrated at the secondary level.
Despite similar poverty rates, academic performance varies by grade level. Nettleton Elementary School excels in early grades but experiences a notable 5th-grade slump: math proficiency falls from roughly 58% in 3rd and 4th grades to just 35.8% in 5th grade—a 22.9-point drop that lands nearly 14 points below the state average. Reading shows a milder decline, while 5th grade science remains strong at 74.7% proficiency. With lower-than-average absenteeism, strong early-grade achievement, and a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.3, Nettleton Elementary School is positioned for continued improvement if it can address the 5th-grade math decline. Overall, this district's elementary schools prove that high poverty does not prevent strong academic performance in the early grades.
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