Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 38860

Zip code 38860 contains exactly one middle school, Okolona Middle School, which serves grades 6–8 with 125 students and operates within the Okolona School District. The school enjoys a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 10.9 students per teacher, and 100% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a student population facing significant socioeconomic challenges.

Academically, Okolona Middle School presents a mixed picture. Science stands out as the clear strength, with 8th-grade science proficiency at 56.1% in 2025–2026, nearly matching the state average of 57.8% and actually exceeding the state in 2024–2025 (57.5% vs. 54.7%). Mathematics remains the primary concern, with 8th-grade math proficiency at just 29.2% compared to the state's 51.4%, and 6th and 7th-grade math also lagging by roughly 13–14 percentage points. English Language Arts performance is inconsistent: 7th-grade ELA improved sharply from 19.6% to 37.5% year over year, while 8th-grade ELA dropped from 30.0% to 19.5%. Given the small enrollment of 125 students, these swings are likely driven by small cohort sizes where a handful of students can noticeably change percentages.

The school has shown modest improvement over time, moving from a state rank of 199th out of 264 (2023–2024) to 187th out of 260 (2025–2026), though it remains in the bottom third with a 1-star rating. Chronic absenteeism is exceptionally low at just 5.9% compared to 23.9% statewide and 11.1% district-wide — a remarkable achievement for a high-poverty school, suggesting strong student engagement and family support. Because the school and district report identical test scores, the Okolona School District effectively functions as a single-school district, meaning all district staffing, resources, and accountability are directly tied to this one middle school. Overall, Okolona Middle School demonstrates that even economically disadvantaged schools can maintain strong attendance and competitive science outcomes, while math intervention and consistent ELA support remain the key areas for future growth.