Summary:
In zip code 39654, there is a single middle school: Rod Paige Middle School, serving 191 students in grades 6–8 in Monticello, Mississippi, as part of the Lawrence County School District. This small school, with a favorable 9.8:1 student-teacher ratio, serves a high-poverty population where 82.2% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and it has earned a solid 3-star state ranking.
Rod Paige Middle School stands out as a bright spot within its 2-star district. The school ranks in the 64th percentile of Mississippi middle schools, and its 8th grade science proficiency is a remarkable 72.1%, far above both the district (52.3%) and state (57.8%). Eighth grade math is also a clear strength at 66.7% proficiency, beating the district by over 27 points and the state by over 15 points. The school has maintained its 3-star status over the past three years, though its percentile dipped slightly from the 68th to the 64th percentile. In the most recent year, 8th grade ELA also improved to 43.5%, climbing above the state average.
However, the school shows dramatic internal inconsistencies. The biggest concern is 6th grade math, where proficiency collapsed from 55.5% to just 26.4% in one year—a catastrophic 29-point drop that leaves it well below both district and state averages. Seventh grade math also declined sharply, from 79.4% to 57.8%, while 8th grade math improved. Chronic absenteeism is another red flag, with 35.1% of students chronically absent compared to 23.9% statewide. Despite these challenges, the school's strong 8th grade results and competitive statewide ranking show that high performance is achievable even in a high-poverty setting. Rod Paige Middle School is a school of contrasts—excellent in 8th grade math and science, but struggling with 6th grade math and attendance, suggesting targeted interventions could yield significant gains.
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