Summary:
Zip code 39654 in Monticello, MS, is home to two elementary schools — Monticello Elementary (grades K–5, 397 students) and Topeka - Tilton School (grades K–8, 298 students) — both within the Lawrence County School District and serving predominantly low-income families, with free/reduced lunch rates above 76%.
The standout school is clearly Topeka - Tilton. It currently ranks #100 out of 377 elementary schools in Mississippi (73rd percentile, 4 stars) and has improved dramatically over three years, rising from the 42nd percentile (2 stars) in 2023–2024 to its current rank. In the latest testing year, Topeka - Tilton exceeded both district and state averages in 3rd and 4th grade ELA and math, plus 5th grade science. For example, 64.3% of its 3rd graders were proficient in math versus 48.8% statewide. By contrast, Monticello Elementary ranks #349 (7th percentile, 0 stars) and has been declining. Its math scores are especially concerning: only 11.7% of 3rd graders and 25.5% of 4th graders are proficient, far below state averages. Even though both schools have similar student-teacher ratios (about 12.3:1) and poverty rates, Topeka - Tilton outperforms Monticello by wide margins — its 3rd grade math proficiency is more than five times higher.
Still, Topeka - Tilton has its own challenges. While grades 3–6 are very strong, there is a sharp drop-off in 8th grade: only 14.3% proficient in ELA, 7.1% in math, and 32.1% in science, all far below state averages. Both schools show large year-to-year swings, partly due to small class cohorts, so it’s important to look at multi-year trends. On the positive side, both schools beat the district’s chronic absenteeism rate of 30.4% — Monticello at 24.4% and Topeka - Tilton at 22.4%. Topeka - Tilton’s success despite high poverty proves that strong school-level practices can overcome demographic challenges, and the district should study its approach to help Monticello reverse its downward trajectory.
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