Lowndes County Schools & Education
Lowndes County, Mississippi
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
25/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
87.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
87.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,860
National avg $13,239
State avg $5,954
School Score
25/100
Higher = better
State avg 27/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#42
of 81 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Lowndes County
School Verdict
Lowndes County faces educational challenges with a school score of 25/100 and a graduation rate of 87.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,860 per pupil, Lowndes County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Lowndes County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 8% below the Mississippi average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 0.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Lowndes County, Mississippi
Mapping the Schools of Lowndes County
Lowndes County features a robust network of 20 public schools serving a total of 8,582 students. The infrastructure includes eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and seven high schools across three districts. This system provides a comprehensive educational framework for one of the region's larger student populations.
Academic Success and Competitive Spending
With a school score of 50.0, Lowndes County performs slightly above the state average of 49.8. The graduation rate of 87.9% exceeds both the Mississippi and national averages of 87.1% and 87.0%, respectively. The county invests $5,860 per pupil, placing its spending nearly in line with the state average of $5,954.
Lowndes County and Columbus Municipal Districts
The Lowndes County School District is the area's largest, serving 5,261 students across 10 schools. The Columbus Municipal School District also plays a major role, managing nine schools and 3,090 students. Additionally, the Mississippi School for Math and Science provides an elite environment for 231 high-achieving students.
A Blend of Large Elementary and Town Schools
The area's schools are primarily located in town settings, though six campuses serve rural parts of the county. Large campuses define the local experience, with New Hope Elementary and Caledonia Elementary each enrolling over 1,000 students. The average school size is 536 students, ensuring a social and diverse learning environment.
Investing in Homes Near Lowndes Schools
Lowndes County offers a variety of housing options near top-rated elementary schools and specialized secondary academies. Families often prefer the New Hope or Caledonia areas to be close to the county's largest and most prominent campuses. Quality local schools remain a primary driver for property values and residential growth in the Columbus area.
School Overview
Total Schools
20
in Lowndes County
Total Enrollment
8,582
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Lowndes County
LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST
COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST
MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE
20 Public Schools in Lowndes County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 1,151 |
| CALEDONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 1,060 |
| COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 898 |
| NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 807 |
| COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 667 |
| CALEDONIA HIGH SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | High | 652 |
| NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 613 |
| CALEDONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | 6–8 | Middle | 498 |
| COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 388 |
| STOKES BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 365 |
| SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 275 |
| FRANKLIN ACADEMY | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 261 |
| WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | 7–12 | High | 246 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | PK–5 | Primary | 236 |
| WEST LOWNDES ELEMENTARY | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–6 | Primary | 234 |
| MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE | MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE | 11–12 | High | 231 |
| MCKELLAR VOCATIONAL CENTER | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
| CMSD ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL | COLUMBUS MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST | KG–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| LOWNDES COUNTY ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–12 | Alternative | 0 |
| LOWNDES CO VOC COMPLEX | LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,860
State avg $5,954
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Lowndes County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Lowndes County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Lowndes County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Lowndes County?
How much does Lowndes County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Lowndes County, Mississippi — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Lowndes County, Mississippi?
Lowndes County features a robust network of 20 public schools serving a total of 8,582 students. The infrastructure includes eight elementary schools, three middle schools, and seven high schools across three districts. This system provides a comprehensive educational framework for one of the region's larger student populations.
How do schools in Lowndes County perform academically?
With a school score of 50.0, Lowndes County performs slightly above the state average of 49.8. The graduation rate of 87.9% exceeds both the Mississippi and national averages of 87.1% and 87.0%, respectively. The county invests $5,860 per pupil, placing its spending nearly in line with the state average of $5,954.
What are the major school districts in Lowndes County, Mississippi?
The Lowndes County School District is the area's largest, serving 5,261 students across 10 schools. The Columbus Municipal School District also plays a major role, managing nine schools and 3,090 students. Additionally, the Mississippi School for Math and Science provides an elite environment for 231 high-achieving students.
What is the school experience like in Lowndes County?
The area's schools are primarily located in town settings, though six campuses serve rural parts of the county. Large campuses define the local experience, with New Hope Elementary and Caledonia Elementary each enrolling over 1,000 students. The average school size is 536 students, ensuring a social and diverse learning environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Lowndes County, Mississippi?
Lowndes County offers a variety of housing options near top-rated elementary schools and specialized secondary academies. Families often prefer the New Hope or Caledonia areas to be close to the county's largest and most prominent campuses. Quality local schools remain a primary driver for property values and residential growth in the Columbus area.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.