Summary:
In zip code 39421, there is just one public high school, Jefferson Davis County High School, serving grades 9 through 12 with 368 students in the rural Bassfield area. This school is part of the Jeff Davis County School District, and because it is the only high school, its results are identical to the district's high school outcomes. Nearly every student (99.18%) qualifies for free or reduced lunch, making this an extremely high-poverty school. That context is essential for understanding both its achievements and its challenges.
Compared to the state, the school's graduation rate is a bright spot: 90.2% of students graduate, slightly above the Mississippi average of 89.2%. However, test proficiency lags significantly. Algebra I proficiency is 41.8% versus 66.0% statewide, Biology is 36.5% versus 63.1%, and English II is 39.0% versus 49.3%. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, with 32.5% of students missing enough school to be considered chronically absent, compared to 23.9% statewide. The student-teacher ratio is favorable at 11.8:1, but that advantage does not offset the effects of poverty and absenteeism on academic performance.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that this school works hard to help students graduate but is struggling academically, especially in math and science. The school's state ranking has declined from the 30th percentile in 2022–2023 to the 13th percentile in 2025–2026, indicating that other schools are improving faster. The combination of near-universal poverty and one-in-three students chronically absent creates significant barriers. That said, the high graduation rate suggests strong commitment to student support and credit recovery. Families should consider the school's supportive environment alongside its academic gaps, and understand that attendance and foundational STEM skills are the most urgent areas needing attention.
Thank you for your feedback!