Best Schools in Carthage, Mississippi
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Carthage?
Use this page to compare every school in Carthage by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Leake Central Junior High
Middle · Leake Co School Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carthage Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Leake Central Elementary School
Elementary · Leake Co School Dist. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carthage for 2026 are Leake Central Junior High (7.5/10), Carthage Christian Academy (6.0/10), and Leake Central Elementary School (5.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 4 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$113,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
6
5 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$113,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Carthage schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Carthage
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (4 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leake Central Junior High | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Carthage Christian Academy | 6.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Leake Central Elementary School | 5.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Leake Central High School | 4.9 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $45,777
- Median home value
- $113,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 33 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carthage compares
Mississippi rank
#53 of 120
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$46k
88% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Carthage, Mississippi
Carthage, Mississippi is home to 6 schools, including 5 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Carthage show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carthage is Standing Pine Elementary School with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carthage is served by 3 school districts: LEAKE CO SCHOOL DIST, Standing Pine Elementary School, Red Water Elementary School. These districts collectively serve 2,718 students.
Carthage's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $45,777. The poverty rate in the area is 22.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 123 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 132 students · Kindergarten–8th | 8.1 |
| 3 | 862 students · Kindergarten–5th | 5.2 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 383 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 602 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carthage Christian Academy
Private
59 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.0 |
Schools in Carthage
Carthage, Mississippi · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$45,777
Median Home Value
$113,000
Median Rent
$691/mo
Population
15,242
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
33 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Community Profile
Carthage has a median household income of $45,777. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,000, with a median rent of $691/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Mississippi
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Mississippi
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carthage, Mississippi
How many schools are in Carthage, Mississippi?
Carthage has 6 schools, including 5 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carthage, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carthage is 6.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carthage, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Leake Central Junior High with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carthage, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Leake Central Elementary School with a composite score of 5.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Carthage, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Leake Central Junior High with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Carthage, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Leake Central High School with a composite score of 4.9/10.
How many school districts serve Carthage, Mississippi?
Carthage is served by 3 school districts: Leake Co School Dist, Standing Pine Elementary School, Red Water Elementary School.
What is the education level in Carthage, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Carthage have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carthage, Mississippi?
The median household income in Carthage is approximately $45,777 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carthage, Mississippi?
Yes, Carthage has 1 private school alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Carthage Christian Academy with a score of 6.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carthage, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carthage is 11.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carthage, Mississippi?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mississippi Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.