Williams-Sullivan Middle School

Williams-Sullivan Middle School is a small public school in Durant, Mississippi, serving 192 students in grades 6–8 as part of the Holmes County Consolidated school district. The school serves a high-need population, with 100% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and it maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1, slightly better than nearby S.V. Marshall Middle School and Kosciusko Junior High School, both at 12.7:1.

Academically, the school has ranked in the bottom fifth of Mississippi middle schools in recent years, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Williams-Sullivan's 8th grade science program is a clear standout: 61.4% of students scored proficient in 2025–26, above the state average of 57.8% and far ahead of same-district S.V. Marshall Middle School (27.5%) and even higher-rated Kosciusko Junior High School (52.8%). The school also decisively outperformed S.V. Marshall in 8th grade English (26.4% vs. 9.9%) and math (33.4% vs. 16.5%). However, Kosciusko Junior High School, from the higher-rated Kosciusko School District, still exceeds Williams-Sullivan in most other subjects, such as 8th grade math (56.2% vs. 33.4%), reflecting the broader challenges of a district ranked in the bottom 13th percentile statewide.

One of the school's most impressive achievements is attendance. In 2023–24, only 9.3% of students were chronically absent, compared to 30.9% for its district and 23.9% statewide — far better than Kosciusko Junior High School's 26.2% rate. This is a dramatic recovery from 41.5% in 2021–22. Notably, the district's high school graduation rate is 92.0%, above the state average of 89.2%. Keep in mind that with roughly 60–70 students per grade, proficiency rates can swing noticeably from year to year, so it helps to look at multi-year trends. Overall, Williams-Sullivan is a school that faces real challenges but also shows meaningful bright spots, especially in science and student attendance.