Summary:
Zip code 39577 contains one middle school, Stone Middle School, serving grades 6–8 in Wiggins, Mississippi, as part of the Stone County School District, which is rated 5 stars and ranks 14th out of 134 districts in the state. This single school is the clear standout in the area, ranking 28th out of 260 Mississippi middle schools for 2025–2026, placing it in the 89th percentile. Its state ranking has improved steadily from 42nd (2023–2024) to 31st (2024–2025) to 28th, while maintaining a 4-star rating each year. With 575 students and a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio, Stone Middle School serves a majority economically disadvantaged population, with nearly 60% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Academically, the school's greatest strength is mathematics. In 2025–2026, math proficiency ranged from 65.0% in 8th grade to 79.9% in 7th grade, compared to state averages of 51.4% to 57.7%. Science is also a highlight, with 8th grade at 77.4% proficiency versus 57.8% statewide, improving nearly 5 points from the prior year. English Language Arts is above the state average in all grades, but 7th grade dipped notably from 50.3% to 41.4% over the year, leaving it just 4.7 points above the state—a potential area for attention. By contrast, 6th and 8th grade ELA remain solidly ahead, at 63.2% and 56.5% respectively.
Despite strong academics, chronic absenteeism is a significant concern: 31.1% of students were chronically absent in 2023–2024, well above the district rate of 25.2% and state rate of 23.9%. This suggests that the students attending regularly are performing very well, but attendance is a challenge. Overall, Stone Middle School demonstrates that high achievement is possible even with economic disadvantages, and its consistent upward ranking reflects a positive trajectory. The main blemishes are the 7th grade ELA dip and elevated absenteeism, but the school remains a high-performing option for families in the 39577 area.
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