Best Public Schools in Zip Code 38650

Zip code 38650, covering the Myrtle, Mississippi area, is served by exactly two public schools — Myrtle Attendance Center and West Union Attendance Center — both comprehensive PK–12 campuses within the Union County School District, collectively educating 1,358 students.

These two schools offer different strengths. West Union Attendance Center is the clear academic leader, posting an average proficiency of 81.4% in 2024-2025 and 74.5% in 2025-2026, and it scored at or above the Mississippi state average on every single reported test. Its math program is exceptional, with Algebra I proficiency reaching 97.2% and multiple grade-level math scores above 90%. Myrtle Attendance Center trails in test scores but excels in other areas: it has a higher graduation rate (88.7% vs. 85.0%), lower chronic absenteeism (17.1% vs. 19.6%), and strong end-of-course results, including 94.6% in Algebra I. This is especially notable because Myrtle serves a much higher-poverty population, with 73.2% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch compared to 57.6% at West Union.

Both schools dramatically outperform state averages in most subjects, though English Language Arts is a relative weak spot. For example, Myrtle’s 7th grade ELA proficiency fell to just 32.7% in 2025-2026, and West Union’s English II scores, while above state, lag its own math and science results. Small school sizes create notable year-to-year swings, such as Myrtle’s 3rd grade math dropping from 86.9% to 68.1%, so cohort effects should be considered. Ultimately, the “best” school depends on priorities: West Union leads in test performance and math, while Myrtle leads in graduation, attendance, and overcoming economic disadvantage. Both are strong, high-performing options in a small, tight-knit district.