Summary:
Zip code 38773 in Shaw, Mississippi is served by two public schools—McEvans Elementary School (K-6, 204 students) and Shaw High School (7-12, 200 students)—together forming a small 404-student K-12 system within the West Bolivar Consolidated School District, a district rated 0 stars and ranked 123rd out of 134 in the state.
McEvans Elementary has shown notable improvement, climbing from the 1st percentile in 2017-2018 to the 19th percentile in 2025-2026, though it still earns just 1 star. The school's 4th grade cohort is a clear bright spot, with 69.5% proficiency in math (18 points above the state) and 60.9% in ELA (8.5 points above the state). However, this strength does not carry into higher grades—5th grade math proficiency is just 8.3% and 6th grade math only 5.7%, both far below state averages. Every student at McEvans qualifies for free or reduced lunch, and chronic absenteeism stands at 24%.
Shaw High School is facing more serious challenges. Its state ranking fell from the 35th percentile in 2024-2025 to the 20th percentile in 2025-2026, and it now holds a 1-star rating. Proficiency in 7th and 8th grade ELA and math ranges from just 6.9% to 13.8%, meaning roughly 9 in 10 middle-grade students are not proficient. End-of-course subjects are comparatively stronger—Algebra I, English II, and Biology proficiency rates range from 41-45%—but still trail the state. Algebra I results were particularly volatile, swinging from 72.2% (above state) in 2024-2025 to 42.5% in 2025-2026. The graduation rate is 77.3% at the district level versus 89.2% statewide. With 98.5% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, poverty is a pervasive factor, and small class sizes (roughly 11-12 students per teacher) have not been enough to offset the academic struggles.
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