McAdams Attendance Center

McAdams Attendance Center is a small rural school in Mc Adams, Mississippi, serving 167 students in grades 7–12 as part of the Attala County Schools district. The school currently holds a 3-star rating and ranks 109th out of 224 Mississippi high schools, a significant jump from last year's 1-star ranking. McAdams serves a student body where 98.2% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and it maintains an impressive 6.9-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for small classes and individual attention.

Academically, McAdams shows clear strengths in science and math. In 2025-2026, 79.3% of 8th graders scored proficient in science—well above the state average of 57.8%—and Algebra I proficiency hit 68%, also above the state average. U.S. History proficiency reached 80.9% in 2024-2025. The school's graduation rate of 90.3% tops the state average of 89.2% and beats nearby Velma Jackson High School's 83.3%.

The biggest concern is English II, where only 40% of students are proficient compared to 49.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism is also a serious issue at 41.6%, though McAdams still graduates students at a respectable rate. Notably, McAdams outperforms Kosciusko Senior High School in several subjects despite serving a much higher-poverty population. However, it trails same-district Ethel Attendance Center overall—a school with nearly identical poverty and attendance numbers but a 5-star rating. With small class sizes and strong recent momentum in math and science, McAdams has a real opportunity to build on its strengths, though leaders should focus on improving literacy and attendance to ensure lasting progress.