Quitman School District

The Quitman School District serves 1,459 students across four schools in Quitman, Mississippi, including Quitman Lower Elementary (PK–2), Quitman Upper Elementary School (3–5), Quitman Junior High School (6–8), and Quitman High School (9–12). The district ranks in the 32nd percentile statewide, but individual schools vary widely. Quitman Upper Elementary is the clear academic bright spot, reaching or exceeding state proficiency in 4th-grade ELA and math and 5th-grade math, with a 46th-percentile ranking. By contrast, Quitman Junior High is the most struggling school, ranked in the 14th percentile with 8th-grade math proficiency at just 13.8% versus the state’s 51.4%. Quitman High School stands out for its strong 95.6% graduation rate, yet it remains below state averages on all end-of-course tests, especially English II at 33.8% proficient.

Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide concern, affecting every school with available data. Quitman High School has the highest rate at 46.5%, nearly double the state average of 23.9%, while the other three schools hover between 30.9% and 32.9%. This likely contributes to a clear “middle school slide”: Quitman Upper Elementary posts solid 5th-grade math scores at 51.5%, but by 8th grade at Quitman Junior High, math proficiency plunges to 13.8%. English language arts is a consistent weak spot across all grade levels, with 7th-grade ELA at just 15.9% proficient. Poverty levels are high (roughly 75–82% free/reduced lunch), but Quitman Upper Elementary outperforms Quitman Junior High despite similar poverty, suggesting school-level factors matter. Also notable: Quitman Lower Elementary has no test data but a very high student–teacher ratio of 38.6, which may signal staffing concerns.

Overall, the district offers uneven experiences. Families may find Quitman Upper Elementary provides strong math foundations, while Quitman High School ensures high graduation rates despite academic gaps. Quitman Junior High appears to need urgent intervention, especially in 7th and 8th grade math and ELA. District leaders could focus on reducing chronic absenteeism, expanding Upper Elementary’s successful practices, and investigating the lower elementary’s class sizes. With targeted support, the district’s potential – already visible in several subjects – could become more consistent across all schools.