Summary:
Zip code 38868, covering Shannon, Mississippi, contains just one middle school—Shannon Middle School—which serves grades 6 through 8 with 190 students as part of the Lee County School District.
Shannon Middle School is the only middle school in this area, so all comparisons are drawn against its district and the state of Mississippi. The school faces significant challenges: 87.37% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the chronic absenteeism rate of 37.6% is well above the district's 26.2% and the state's 23.9%. Its statewide ranking has slipped over three years, falling from the 33rd percentile (2 stars) in 2023–2024 to the 21st percentile (1 star) in 2025–2026. By comparison, the Lee County School District ranks in the 51st percentile statewide with a 3-star rating, meaning Shannon Middle School performs well below its own district's standing. On a more positive note, the student–teacher ratio of 9.1 is quite low, which could support more individualized instruction.
Academically, every tested subject and grade falls below district and state averages, but the trend is encouraging in mathematics. Between 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, 6th grade math jumped 13.2 points to 30.6%, 7th grade math rose to 46.8%, and 8th grade math climbed 8.1 points to 27.8%. Science proficiency also improved, rising 7 points to 47.9%. English language arts remains a concern, with 7th grade dropping to 25.5% and 8th grade falling to 30.5%, though 6th grade improved to 32.0%. Parents should know that while Shannon Middle School is under pressure from high poverty and absenteeism, its recent math and science gains suggest targeted interventions may be starting to work.
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