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W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

Summary:

W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy is a public middle school in Clarksdale, Mississippi, serving 283 students in grades 7-8. The school is part of the Clarksdale Municipal School District, which is ranked 128 out of 130 school districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy faces significant academic challenges, with consistently low proficiency rates on state assessments that are well below the state average. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 9-21% in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science, compared to state averages of 40-59%. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 20-25% of middle schools in Mississippi, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger for most years. While the student-teacher ratio at W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy is lower than nearby Oakhurst Intermediate Academy and Quitman County Middle School, the school's academic struggles suggest that factors beyond just staffing levels may be contributing to the challenges, such as resource availability, student support services, and community-level issues.

Notably, 100% of students at W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. While the nearby Quitman County School District and Clarksdale Municipal School District also serve predominantly African American student populations with high rates of free and reduced-price lunch, W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy consistently underperforms these nearby schools, suggesting that the school faces unique challenges that will require a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to address.


Detail:

Public 7-8

 1749 Chestnut Street
       Clarksdale, MS  38614

(662) 627-8550

District: Clarksdale Municipal School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
256th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,086 Help


Students who attend W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy usually attend:

High:    Clarksdale High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.5 Help
Number of students:  283

Racial breakdown:

African American:
96.1%
White:
2.5%
Hispanic:
1.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy ranks worse than 97% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 5.77. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (96.1%), White (2.5%), Hispanic (1.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy is 13.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy employs 20.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy is $14,086.
Schooldigger Rankings:

W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy 256th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy in the ranking list.)

Clarksdale Municipal School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Clarksdale Municipal School District 128th of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 8.80 232nd 244 4.9%
2009 5.43 242nd 247 2.0%
2010 4.54 253rd 255 0.8%
2011 11.65 251st 264 4.9%
2012 9.08 260th 270 3.7%
2013 20.45 225th 269 16.4%
2015 15.02 238th 266 10.5%
2016 9.99 248th 260 4.6%
2017 10.36 257th 272 5.5%
2018 12.02 227th 252 9.9%
2019 10.54 240th 264 9.1%
2021 13.49 220th 257 14.4%
2022 8.72 245th 257 4.7%
2023 13.90 222nd 243 8.6%
2024 5.77 256th 264 3.0%
See the entire list of Mississippi Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    




Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, May 8, 2017

Open Quote The principal, Ms. Ware, really cares about her students. I would recommend this school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1990 0 505 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 505
1991 0 546 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 546
1992 0 571 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 571
1993 0 606 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 606
1994 0 597 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 597
1995 0 592 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 592
1996 0 592 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 592
1997 0 557 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 557
1998 0 576 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 576
1999 0 558 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 558
2000 0 553 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 553
2001 0 464 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 464
2002 0 305 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 305
2003 0 305 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 305
2004 0 288 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 288
2005 0 495 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 495
2006 0 445 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 445
2007 0 464 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 464
2008 0 397 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 397
2009 0 357 0 1 0 0 0 0 358
2010 0 358 0 0 0 0 1 0 359
2011 1 335 0 0 0 0 1 0 337
2012 1 369 0 0 0 0 0 0 370
2013 1 349 1 1 0 0 0 0 352
2014 6 485 2 3 0 0 0 0 496
2015 3 428 2 1 0 0 0 0 434
2016 3 423 1 0 0 0 0 0 427
2017 4 400 1 1 0 0 0 0 406
2018 2 374 2 4 0 0 1 0 383
2019 7 343 0 5 0 0 0 0 355
2020 5 337 0 3 0 0 0 0 345
2021 7 369 1 6 0 0 0 0 383
2022 8 361 1 5 0 0 0 0 375
2023 7 272 0 3 0 0 1 0 283

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 505 28.6 17.6 n/a
1991 546 29.7 18.3 n/a
1992 571 27.5 20.7 69.9
1993 606 30.5 19.9 70.6
1994 597 28.0 21.3 72.4
1995 592 31.6 18.7 72.5
1996 592 31.6 18.7 72.5
1997 557 30.0 18.6 71.1
1998 576 33.2 17.3 72.6
1999 558 33.2 16.8 86.7
2000 553 32.3 17.1 76.5
2001 464 30.9 15.0 81
2002 305 39.5 7.7 86.2
2003 305 39.5 7.7 86.2
2004 288 38.7 7.4 88.5
2005 495 32.8 15.1 96.6
2006 445 29.6 15.0 91.5
2007 464 32.7 14.2 99.4
2008 397 30.8 12.9 97.7
2009 358 33.1 10.8 99.2
2010 359 34.5 10.3 98.1
2011 337 30.9 10.8 99.1
2012 370 28.8 12.8 96.8
2013 352 30.4 11.5 97.4
2014 496 40.4 12.2 96.8
2015 434 33.0 13.1 100
2016 427 38.0 11.2 100
2017 406 32.0 12.6 100
2018 383 43.9 8.7 100
2019 355 47.2 7.5 100
2020 345 41.4 8.3 100
2021 383 43.0 8.8 100
2022 375 46.1 8.1 100
2023 283 20.8 13.5 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 505 28.6 17.6 n/a
1991 546 29.7 18.3 n/a
1992 571 27.5 20.7 69.9
1993 606 30.5 19.9 70.6
1994 597 28.0 21.3 72.4
1995 592 31.6 18.7 72.5
1996 592 31.6 18.7 72.5
1997 557 30.0 18.6 71.1
1998 576 33.2 17.3 72.6
1999 558 33.2 16.8 86.7
2000 553 32.3 17.1 76.5
2001 464 30.9 15.0 81
2002 305 39.5 7.7 86.2
2003 305 39.5 7.7 86.2
2004 288 38.7 7.4 88.5
2005 495 32.8 15.1 96.6
2006 445 29.6 15.0 91.5
2007 464 32.7 14.2 99.4
2008 397 30.8 12.9 97.7
2009 358 33.1 10.8 99.2
2010 359 34.5 10.3 98.1
2011 337 30.9 10.8 99.1
2012 370 28.8 12.8 96.8
2013 352 30.4 11.5 97.4
2014 496 40.4 12.2 96.8
2015 434 33.0 13.1 100
2016 427 38.0 11.2 100
2017 406 32.0 12.6 100
2018 383 43.9 8.7 100
2019 355 47.2 7.5 100
2020 345 41.4 8.3 100
2021 383 43.0 8.8 100
2022 375 46.1 8.1 100
2023 283 20.8 13.5 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

Help

YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2017 $8,806
2018 $9,689
2019 $9,602
2020 $9,121
2021 $9,442
2022 $14,086

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 240th of 264 Middle schoolsRanks 222nd of 243 Middle schools
 0.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy)18.727.6
 8.9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Clarksdale Municipal School District)18.727.6
 8.9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)3940.2
 1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy)21.527.9
 6.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Clarksdale Municipal School District)21.527.9
 6.4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)51.155.6
 4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy)13.222.1
 8.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Clarksdale Municipal School District)13.222.1
 8.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)35.540.5
 5%
8th Grade Mathematics (W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy)15.513.6
 1.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Clarksdale Municipal School District)15.513.6
 1.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)44.846.1
 1.3%
8th Grade Science (W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy)24.827.9
 3.1%
   8th Grade Science (Clarksdale Municipal School District)24.827.9
 3.1%
   8th Grade Science (Mississippi)52.753.3
 0.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students355283
 20.3%
African American343272
 20.7%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic53
 40%
Pacific Islander00
White77
Two or More Races01
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%

Schools Near W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy








Frequently Asked Questions about W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy

W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy ranks in the bottom 3.0% of Mississippi middle schools.

Students at W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy are 96% African American, 2% White, 1% Hispanic.

Students who attend W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy usually go on to attend Clarksdale High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 283 students attended W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Mississippi Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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