Schools in Zip Code 39159

In zip code 39159 (Rolling Fork, Mississippi), there are two schools—South Delta Elementary School (grades PK–5) and South Delta High School (grades 9–12)—both part of the South Delta School District, which ranks in the bottom 13% of Mississippi districts.

For parents, the two schools tell very different stories. South Delta Elementary is showing real momentum: its state rank jumped from the 9th to the 20th percentile, its rating improved from 0 stars to 1 star, and 5th grade ELA proficiency surged from 25.9% to 50%. Science is a relative strength at 63.4% proficiency, close to the state average of 71.5%. However, math remains a major concern—only 20% of 5th graders are proficient, compared to nearly 50% statewide. Chronic absenteeism (23.2%) is right at the state average, which is encouraging. Meanwhile, South Delta High School is near the very bottom of the state (1st percentile), with extremely low End-of-Course proficiency: Algebra I at 14.3% vs. 66% statewide, English II at 21.3% vs. 49.3%, and Biology at 30.6% vs. 63.1%. Nearly half of high school students are chronically absent (49.7%), more than double the state average. The school does have a strong 94.6% graduation rate and a low 8:1 student-teacher ratio, but these positives are overshadowed by severe academic and attendance challenges.

Both schools serve almost exclusively low-income families (100% and 98.3% free/reduced lunch), and the district overall is rated 117 out of 134 in Mississippi. The elementary school is clearly improving and may be a more hopeful choice for younger children, while the high school’s test scores are volatile from year to year—Algebra I dropped from 53.5% to 14.3% in one year—so results may vary by cohort. If you’re looking at this area, the elementary school appears to be on an upward path, but the high school will need significant work to catch up to state averages.