Franklin High School

Franklin High School serves 377 students in grades 9–12 in Meadville, Mississippi, as part of the Franklin County School District, which is currently ranked 84th out of 134 districts statewide. There are no other schools within 20 miles, making Franklin High School the primary high school option for families in the area.

The school's state ranking has slipped notably in recent years, dropping from the 60th percentile in 2021–2022 to the 26th percentile in 2025–2026. That said, graduation rates have improved substantially, rising from 77.6% in 2020–2021 to 89.1% in the most recent year — nearly matching the state average of 89.2%. Test results are mixed across subjects. U.S. History is a relative bright spot, with 72.6% proficiency compared to 69.7% statewide. However, Biology proficiency has lagged far behind the state — just 42.3% in the most recent year versus 63.1% statewide. English II was once a strength but has faded: the school went from outperforming the state by 9 points in 2022–2023 to falling nearly 10 points behind in 2025–2026.

One of the clearest challenges is chronic absenteeism, which more than doubled in two years, rising from 11.4% in 2021–2022 to 28.5% in 2023–2024 — now exceeding the state rate of 23.9%. This trend coincides with the school's academic decline and is likely a major contributing factor. On the positive side, Franklin High maintains a very favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 8.7, giving teachers the opportunity to provide more individualized attention. The student body faces significant economic disadvantage, with roughly 78–99% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch in recent years. While the school is clearly under pressure, the improved graduation rate, small class sizes, and strong U.S. History results suggest a foundation to build on.