Summary:
The Benton County School District in Mississippi operates three schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including one elementary school, one middle/high school, and one alternative school. While the district as a whole struggles, ranking in the bottom third of Mississippi districts, the standout school appears to be Hickory Flat Attendance Center, the alternative school, which has significantly higher test scores compared to the district and state averages across a variety of subjects and grade levels.
In contrast, the other two schools, Ashland Elementary and Ashland Middle-High, have much lower test scores that lag behind the district and state averages. This stark performance difference between Hickory Flat Attendance Center and the other two schools is notable, as they all serve similar high-poverty student populations, suggesting factors beyond just socioeconomic status are driving the academic outcomes.
Additionally, the data reveals racial disparities, with Hickory Flat Attendance Center serving a majority white student population, while the lower-performing schools have majority African American student bodies. This raises questions about potential equity and access issues within the Benton County School District. Overall, the data highlights both bright spots, like the success of Hickory Flat Attendance Center, as well as significant challenges the district must grapple with to improve educational outcomes for all students.
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