Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 38916

Zip code 38916 contains just one elementary school, Calhoun City Elementary, which serves grades PK through 4 and enrolls 235 students in Calhoun City, Mississippi. The school is part of the Calhoun County School District, a 3-star district ranked in the 57th percentile statewide. Calhoun City Elementary stands out for its low student-teacher ratio of 12.2 and a chronic absenteeism rate of 13.6%, which is notably better than both the district rate of 15.8% and the state rate of 23.9%. This is especially impressive given that 91.49% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty school with strong attendance and family engagement.

Academically, the school shows a mixed picture with a recent decline. In 2024-2025, 4th grade English Language Arts proficiency was 55.3%, above both the district (54.2%) and state (52.1%), while 4th grade math proficiency was 52.6%. However, by 2025-2026, proficiency rates dropped across all tested areas: 4th grade ELA fell to 48.6%, 4th grade math slipped to 48.6%, and 3rd grade math dropped sharply from 50.0% to 37.1%. 3rd grade ELA remained consistently low at around 31-32%. The school’s state ranking also slipped from the 46th percentile in 2024-2025 to the 37th percentile in 2025-2026, though it has maintained a 2-star rating. Overall, 4th grade performance has been a relative strength compared to 3rd grade, suggesting positive growth in the upper elementary grades.

For parents, this small school offers a supportive, low-ratio environment with attendance rates that defy its high-poverty context. However, the most recent test score declines are concerning, particularly in 3rd grade mathematics, which saw the largest drop. The school will likely benefit from a renewed focus on foundational skills in the early grades, while continuing to build on the relative success seen in 4th grade ELA and math. With only one elementary school in the zip code, families in this area have a clear choice: a school that demonstrates resilience in attendance and small class sizes, but one that also faces ongoing academic challenges that require attention.