Summary:
Zip code 39120 in Natchez, Mississippi, is served by two middle-level schools—Natchez Middle (grades 7–8, 397 students) and Morgantown Elementary (grades 5–6, 359 students)—both part of the Natchez-Adams School District, which ranks below average (94th of 134 districts) in Mississippi.
Both schools serve 100% economically disadvantaged students, but they have very different profiles. Natchez Middle is the stronger performer, steadily climbing from the 26th to 38th percentile in state rankings and posting a chronic absenteeism rate of 14.5%—well below the district (19.6%) and state (23.9%). Morgantown Elementary, by contrast, has no state ranking data and a chronic absenteeism rate of 27.2%, meaning more than one in four students is missing substantial school time. This is especially concerning since Morgantown serves younger students, who typically have better attendance.
Academically, math is the consistent weakness across both schools, with 6th-grade math at Morgantown Elementary showing the largest gap (26.2% vs. 52.7% statewide). Science is a bright spot: Natchez Middle's 8th-grade science reached 64.2%, above the state average, and Morgantown Elementary's 5th-grade science was its best subject at 55%. Test scores swing widely year to year, and since Morgantown Elementary feeds into Natchez Middle, strengthening 6th-grade math before the transition could lift 7th-grade results. Overall, the district shows signs of progress, but targeted math intervention and attendance support are needed.
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