Okolona Middle School

Summary:

Okolona Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in Okolona, Mississippi, with a student population of 124. The school is part of the Okolona Separate School District, which is ranked 93 out of 130 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. The student body is predominantly African American, making up over 95% of the population.

Okolona Middle School faces significant academic challenges, consistently performing well below the state average on standardized tests across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 13.4% of 6th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 39.7%. The school's math and science proficiency rates also lag significantly behind the state. Additionally, Okolona Middle School has extremely high rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 97.71% to 100% in recent years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When compared to nearby middle schools, such as Milam Elementary School and Amory Middle School, Okolona Middle School is clearly underperforming academically. For instance, in 2023-2024, Amory Middle School had 68.1% of 6th graders proficient or better in math, compared to just 25% at Okolona Middle School. This suggests the students at Okolona Middle School are not receiving the same level of educational opportunities as their peers in nearby districts.

Detail:

Public 6-8

404 Howard Gunn Street
Okolona, MS 38860

(662) 447-2362

District: Okolona Separate School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
199^th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,644

Students who attend Okolona Middle School usually attend:

High:

Okolona High School

Feeder schools for Okolona Middle School:

Elementary:

Okolona Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 9.1

Number of students: 131

Racial breakdown:

African American:

91.6%

Two or more races:

5.3%

White:

3.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Okolona Middle School ranks worse than 75.4% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.62. (See more...)

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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (91.6%), two or more races (5.3%), White (3.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Okolona Middle School is 9.1. (See more...)

Compare Okolona Middle School employs 14.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Okolona Middle School is $14,644.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Okolona Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Okolona Middle School 199^th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See Okolona Middle School in the ranking list.)

Okolona Separate School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Okolona Separate School District 93^rd of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Okolona Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2019	37.35	164^th	264	37.9%
2021	24.49	186^th	257	27.6%
2022	17.82	211^th	257	17.9%
2023	20.71	195^th	243	19.8%
2024	24.62	199^th	264	24.6%

See the entire list of Mississippi Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Okolona Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	Two or More Races	Total
2019	5	126	0	1	3	135
2020	6	131	0	1	2	140
2021	5	123	3	1	3	135
2022	2	123	3	0	3	131
2023	1	118	1	1	3	124
2024	4	120	0	0	7	131

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 Okolona Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2019	135	10.3	13.0	100
2020	140	9.8	14.1	100
2021	135	12.6	10.6	100
2022	131	14.5	9.0	97.7
2023	124	14.2	8.7	100
2024	131	14.3	9.1	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 Okolona Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2019	135	10.3	13.0	100
2020	140	9.8	14.1	100
2021	135	12.6	10.6	100
2022	131	14.5	9.0	97.7
2023	124	14.2	8.7	100
2024	131	14.3	9.1	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 Okolona Middle School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2018	$10,267
2019	$9,297
2020	$11,182
2021	$13,412
2022	$14,644

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Okolona Middle School

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 164^th of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 195^th of 243 Middle schools	18.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Okolona Middle School)	15.1	31.7	16.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Okolona Separate School District)	15.1	31.7	16.6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	33.6	40.3	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Okolona Middle School)	47.1	24.4	22.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Okolona Separate School District)	47.1	24.4	22.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	47.6	45.5	2.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Okolona Middle School)	26.7	19.5	7.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Okolona Separate School District)	26.7	19.5	7.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Okolona Middle School)	52.3	41.5	10.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Okolona Separate School District)	52.3	41.5	10.8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Okolona Middle School)	17.4	19.5	2.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Okolona Separate School District)	17.4	19.5	2.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	35.5	40.5	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Okolona Middle School)	23.9	15	8.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Okolona Separate School District)	23.9	15	8.9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	44.8	46.1	1.3%
8th Grade Science (Okolona Middle School)	56.5	39	17.5%
8th Grade Science (Okolona Separate School District)	56.5	39	17.5%
8th Grade Science (Mississippi)	52.7	53.3	0.6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	135	124	8.1%
African American	126	118	6.3%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	1
Hispanic	1	1
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	5	1	80%
Two or More Races	3	3
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Okolona Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MAAP English Language Arts (2024)				MAAP Mathematics (2024)				MAAP Algebra I (2024)	MAAP Science (2024)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Algebra I End of Course	MAAP Science 5th Grade	MAAP Science 8th Grade	Total
Okolona Middle School	Public	6-8	404 Howard Gunn Street	Okolona	38860	Chickasaw County	Okolona Separate School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 447-2362	131	14	9.1	100.0%	4 (3.1%)	120 (91.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (5.3%)	24.6	199^th of 264 public middle schools	24.6%		20.7	195^th of 243 public middle schools	19.8%	4		13.4	31.7	23.7		25.0	51.2	36.8			52.6	$14,644
Shannon Middle School	Public	6-8	232 Cherry Street	Shannon	38868	Lee County	Lee County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 767-3986	201	20	9.8	56.2%	68 (33.8%)	119 (59.2%)	9 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.5%)	33	177^th of 264 public middle schools	33.0%		33.7	156^th of 243 public middle schools	35.8%	21		26.8	35.9	34.4		28.4	56.3	29.9			50.0	$13,486
Nettleton Elementary School	Public	4-6	170 Mullen Avenue	Nettleton	38858	Itawamba County	Nettleton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 963-7406	236	17	13.7	83.1%	144 (61.0%)	88 (37.3%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)								(n/a)												$9,238
Nettleton Junior High School	Public	7-8	1532 Maple Road	Nettleton	38858	Itawamba County	Nettleton School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(662) 963-7400	165	12	13.7	84.8%	111 (67.3%)	46 (27.9%)	5 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.8%)								(n/a)			26.5	14.1			39.7	34.6			43.6
Plantersville Middle School	Public	5-8	2657 Main St.	Plantersville	38862	Lee County	Lee County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 842-4690	221	25	8.9	71.9%	11 (5.0%)	183 (82.8%)	12 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (6.8%)	16.2	227^th of 264 public middle schools	14.0%		19.9	200^th of 243 public middle schools	17.7%	27	26.0	16.4	9.7	21.6	22.3	36.0	24.2	47.0		54.7	40.8	$12,777
Amory Middle School	Public	6-8	700 2nd Avenue North	Amory	38821	Monroe County	Amory School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 256-5658	342	26	13.1	60.5%	204 (59.6%)	120 (35.1%)	9 (2.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.3%)	71.5	64^th of 264 public middle schools	75.8%		71.6	67^th of 243 public middle schools	72.4%	3		43.3	48.2	34.9		68.1	79.1	56.9			76.5	$10,338
Houston Middle School	Public	6-8	632-A Starkville Street	Houston	38851	Chickasaw County	Chickasaw County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 456-5174	355	31	11.2	76.3%	190 (53.5%)	130 (36.6%)	25 (7.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.3%)	55.3	117^th of 264 public middle schools	55.7%		67.9	74^th of 243 public middle schools	69.5%	43		30.0	39.8	33.3		61.0	73.2	64.2			47.1	$9,655
Tupelo Middle School	Public	7-8	1009 Varsity Drive	Tupelo	38801	Lee County	Tupelo Public School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 840-8780	1,062	78	13.6	64.7%	349 (32.9%)	558 (52.5%)	68 (6.4%)	24 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (5.9%)	78.3	51^st of 264 public middle schools	80.7%		76.8	50^th of 243 public middle schools	79.4%	1			52.2	50.2			66.6	67.1	100.0		67.6	$10,269
Milam Elementary School	Public	6	720 West Jefferson	Tupelo	38804	Lee County	Tupelo Public School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 841-8920	542	39	13.8	66.2%	174 (32.1%)	284 (52.4%)	49 (9.0%)	11 (2.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.2%)								(n/a)		48.9				58.9						$10,912
Belle Shivers Middle School	Public	5-8	518 West Vine Street	Aberdeen	39730	Monroe County	Aberdeen School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 369-2649	268	25	10.8	100.0%	8 (3.0%)	253 (94.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.6%)	29.5	184^th of 264 public middle schools	30.3%		27	172^nd of 243 public middle schools	29.2%	12	43.2	13.7	28.4	19.1	29.6	62.1	60.2	27.0		51.1	33.8	$16,119

Frequently Asked Questions about Okolona Middle School

What district is Okolona Middle School in?

Okolona Separate School District

What high school do graduates of Okolona Middle School attend?

Students who attend Okolona Middle School usually go on to attend Okolona High School

Is Okolona Middle School a good school?

Okolona Middle School ranks in the bottom 24.6% of Mississippi middle schools.

How many students attend Okolona Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 131 students attended Okolona Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Okolona Middle School?

Students at Okolona Middle School are 92% African American, 5% Two or more races, 3% White.

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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.