Summary:
There is just one elementary school in zip code 39045: Camden Elementary, serving grades K–5 in the small community of Camden, Mississippi, within Madison County Schools. This is a very small school with about 99 students, which means a handful of students can cause large year‑to‑year swings in test scores and rankings.
Camden Elementary stands out most for its remarkably low chronic absenteeism — only 6.3% in 2023–2024, compared to 20.4% district‑wide and 23.9% statewide. That is especially notable because nearly 93% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a high‑poverty context where attendance struggles are common. The school also has an exceptionally low student‑teacher ratio of 6.7 to 1, suggesting a highly supportive environment. Academically, its brightest spot is 5th grade science, where 87.5% of students scored proficient in 2025–2026, beating both the district (83.9%) and state (71.5%). In that same year, 3rd grade math (68.8%) edged past the district (67.7%) and far exceeded the state (48.8%), while 4th and 5th grade math lagged behind district averages by roughly 20 points or more.
The school’s state ranking dropped from 84th (2024–2025) to 150th (2025–2026), driven largely by sharp declines in 3rd grade ELA and upper‑grade math — patterns consistent with small, shifting cohorts rather than a systematic problem. ELA performance is mixed: 3rd grade (37.5%) is below the state average, while 4th (65%) and 5th (56.3%) are at or above it. Given the tiny class sizes, scores can swing dramatically — 3rd grade ELA fell from 68.4% to 37.5% in one year. For parents, the key takeaway is that Camden offers strong attendance, dedicated attention, and excellent science instruction, but math and reading proficiency remain inconsistent across grade levels. The biggest opportunity is stabilizing math in grades 4 and 5 and lifting 3rd grade reading, all while preserving the engagement and community culture that sets the school apart.
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