Newton County School District

The Newton County School District in Mississippi is home to two schools - Newton County Elementary School and Newton County High School. While both schools serve a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population, Newton County Elementary stands out as an exceptional performer, consistently achieving high test scores and earning top rankings in the state. In contrast, Newton County High School, while still above the state average, has seen more fluctuations in its performance and rankings.

Newton County Elementary boasts impressive academic achievements, with the majority of its students scoring proficient or better in core subjects like English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. The school's performance exceeds both the district and state averages, and it has received high ratings from SchoolDigger, ranking among the top elementary schools in Mississippi. This is particularly noteworthy given that the school serves a student population where over 99% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage.

While Newton County High School is also performing above the state average in many areas, its statewide rankings have fluctuated between the top 60 and top 86 high schools in Mississippi over the past few years. This suggests an opportunity for the district to further support and invest in the high school to help it reach the same level of excellence as the elementary school. The district's efforts to allocate resources equitably, as evidenced by the similar per-student spending and student-teacher ratios between the two schools, are a positive sign and may help ensure all students in the Newton County School District have access to a high-quality education.