Summary:
Zip code 38606 contains just one high school, South Panola High School, which serves grades 9–12 in Batesville, Mississippi, as part of the South Panola School District. With 1,113 students and roughly 84.7% eligible for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a largely economically disadvantaged population. It currently holds a 3-star rating and ranks 94th out of 224 Mississippi high schools, a notable rebound from 132nd the previous year.
Academically, South Panola exceeds the state in several areas. The graduation rate stands at 91.4%, above the state average of 89.2%. On the most recent MAAP exams, the school outpaced state averages in Algebra I (71.4% proficient vs. 66.0%), Biology (65.9% vs. 63.1%), and U.S. History (74.0% vs. 69.7% in the prior year). These subjects all showed strong improvement, with Algebra I rising 9.3 points and Biology up 7.4 points. English II remains the weakest subject, with 48.2% proficiency, just below the state’s 49.3%.
The biggest concern is chronic absenteeism. More than half of students (51.3%) were chronically absent, more than double the state rate of 23.9% and well above the district rate of 33.9%. This is especially puzzling given the school’s above-average graduation rate, but it poses a serious long-term risk to the recent academic gains. Overall, South Panola High School is showing positive momentum in math, science, and history, yet addressing absenteeism will be critical to sustaining its improvements in English and across all subjects.
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