West Lincoln School

West Lincoln School is a K-12 attendance center serving 636 students in Brookhaven, Mississippi, within the Lincoln County School District — a rural school that, despite its "alternative" classification, posts some of the strongest academic results in the area.

The standout numbers are graduation and attendance. West Lincoln School's 97.5% graduation rate tops the district (88.2%), the state (89.2%), and every nearby comparison school, including Enterprise at 93.8%, Bogue Chitto at 87.3%, Wesson at 84.1%, and Loyd Star at 79.7%. Chronic absenteeism sits at just 12.4% — roughly half the state's 23.9% — which likely fuels the strong outcomes. In math, West Lincoln outperforms both district and state in every grade level tested, with eye-catching early-grade results: 84.6% of 3rd graders are proficient in math, compared to 44.1% for the district and 48.8% for the state. Science is similarly strong, with 81.6% of students passing Biology EOC versus 63.1% statewide.

English Language Arts is more uneven — middle school grades are solid, but 4th and 5th grade ELA trail the district. About 61% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch, the lowest rate among neighboring schools, though it still reflects a majority low-income population. The most compelling comparison is with Loyd Star, a similar rural school in the same district: West Lincoln's 3rd grade math proficiency is 84.6% versus Loyd Star's 28.9%, and its Algebra I pass rate is 83.7% versus 38.5%. With a graduation rate above 92% in four of the last five years — including 100% in 2022-2023 — West Lincoln demonstrates that school culture and practices can make a decisive difference regardless of demographics.