Marion County Schools & Education
Marion County, Mississippi
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
30/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
89.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 87.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,964
National avg $13,239
State avg $5,954
School Score
30/100
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
#30
of 81 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Marion County
School Verdict
Marion County faces educational challenges with a school score of 30/100 and a graduation rate of 89.4%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,964 per pupil, Marion County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Marion County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 11% above the Mississippi average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Marion County, Mississippi
Public Education Landscape in Marion County
Marion County operates 11 public schools, providing education to a total of 3,550 students. The infrastructure is split between four elementary schools, two middle schools, and four high schools. Two distinct school districts manage these campuses, ensuring coverage across both town and rural regions.
Outperforming State Averages in Graduation
The county's school score of 51.0 exceeds the Mississippi state average of 49.8. Marion County students reach a high graduation rate of 89.4%, which is more than two points above the state and national averages. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $5,964, closely matching the state average of $5,954.
Spotlighting Marion and Columbia Districts
The Marion County School District is the larger of the two, with 1,904 students enrolled across seven schools. The Columbia School District serves the remaining 1,646 students through four specialized campuses. The county focuses on traditional public education, with no charter schools currently in operation.
Rural Roots and Community Schooling
Six schools are located in rural settings, while five serve the town areas, creating a diverse geographic mix. Average school size is 394 students, providing a personalized feel compared to larger neighboring counties. West Marion High School is the largest campus with 569 students, while Jefferson Middle is the smallest at 373.
Finding Your Home in Marion County
Families value Marion County for its high graduation rates and manageable school sizes. Whether you prefer a home in the city of Columbia or the surrounding rural landscape, quality education is accessible throughout the county. Researching specific district performance can help you identify the perfect neighborhood for your long-term goals.
School Overview
Total Schools
11
in Marion County
Total Enrollment
3,550
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Marion County
MARION CO SCHOOL DIST
COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
11 Public Schools in Marion County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEST MARION HIGH SCHOOL | MARION CO SCHOOL DIST | 7–12 | High | 569 |
| COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL | COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 9–12 | High | 469 |
| COLUMBIA PRIMARY SCHOOL | COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | PK–2 | Primary | 466 |
| EAST MARION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MARION CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–6 | Primary | 394 |
| JEFFERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL | COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 6–8 | Middle | 373 |
| WEST MARION PRIMARY SCHOOL | MARION CO SCHOOL DIST | PK–3 | Primary | 352 |
| COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | COLUMBIA SCHOOL DISTRICT | 3–5 | Primary | 338 |
| EAST MARION HIGH SCHOOL | MARION CO SCHOOL DIST | 7–12 | High | 330 |
| WEST MARION ELEMENTARY | MARION CO SCHOOL DIST | 4–6 | Middle | 259 |
| MARION CO VOC COMPLEX | MARION CO SCHOOL DIST | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
| MARION CO ALT SCHOOL | MARION CO SCHOOL DIST | UG | Alternative | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,964
State avg $5,954
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Marion County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Marion County?
How much does Marion County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Marion County, Mississippi — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Marion County, Mississippi?
Marion County operates 11 public schools, providing education to a total of 3,550 students. The infrastructure is split between four elementary schools, two middle schools, and four high schools. Two distinct school districts manage these campuses, ensuring coverage across both town and rural regions.
How do schools in Marion County perform academically?
The county's school score of 51.0 exceeds the Mississippi state average of 49.8. Marion County students reach a high graduation rate of 89.4%, which is more than two points above the state and national averages. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $5,964, closely matching the state average of $5,954.
What are the major school districts in Marion County, Mississippi?
The Marion County School District is the larger of the two, with 1,904 students enrolled across seven schools. The Columbia School District serves the remaining 1,646 students through four specialized campuses. The county focuses on traditional public education, with no charter schools currently in operation.
What is the school experience like in Marion County?
Six schools are located in rural settings, while five serve the town areas, creating a diverse geographic mix. Average school size is 394 students, providing a personalized feel compared to larger neighboring counties. West Marion High School is the largest campus with 569 students, while Jefferson Middle is the smallest at 373.
How can I find homes near good schools in Marion County, Mississippi?
Families value Marion County for its high graduation rates and manageable school sizes. Whether you prefer a home in the city of Columbia or the surrounding rural landscape, quality education is accessible throughout the county. Researching specific district performance can help you identify the perfect neighborhood for your long-term goals.
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.