Coahoma County School District

The Coahoma County School District in Mississippi operates 4 schools, including 3 elementary schools and 1 junior/senior high school, serving a predominantly African American and high-poverty student population. While the district faces significant challenges, with all schools having 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, one school, Jonestown Elementary School, stands out for its exceptional academic performance, outpacing the district and state averages in several subject areas.

In contrast, Friars Point Elementary School struggles with very low proficiency rates, particularly in math, earning a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. The disparities in academic performance between the schools suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to address the underlying factors contributing to these gaps. Additionally, the inverse relationship between spending per student and academic performance at some schools indicates that factors beyond just funding, such as resource allocation and targeted interventions, may play a more significant role in driving student outcomes.

Overall, the Coahoma County School District faces significant challenges in providing equitable access to high-quality education for all students, with a high-poverty student population and wide performance disparities between schools. Identifying and replicating the successful practices at Jonestown Elementary could provide valuable insights for improving performance across the district.