Best Schools in Clarksdale, Mississippi
15 schools · 9 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Clarksdale?
Use this page to compare every school in Clarksdale 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.
Presbyterian Day School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Lyon Elementary School
Elementary · Coahoma County School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
St Elizabeth Catholic School
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clarksdale for 2026 are Presbyterian Day School (8.4/10), Lyon Elementary School (7.4/10), and St Elizabeth Catholic School (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 15 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
15
12 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$91,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
15
12 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$91,000
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +5.0 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Clarksdale schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Clarksdale
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (15 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presbyterian Day School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Lyon Elementary School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 3 | St Elizabeth Catholic School | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Lee Academy | 7.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Friars Point Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Clarksdale Collegiate | 6.9 / 10 |
| 7 | Jerome W. Stampley 9th Grade Academ | 6.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Jonestown Elementary School | 6.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Coahoma County Jr/sr High School | 5.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Clarksdale High School | 4.7 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $36,273
- Median home value
- $91,000
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 50%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clarksdale compares
Mississippi rank
#96 of 120
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$36k
69% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
15
About Schools in Clarksdale, Mississippi
Clarksdale's public school landscape spans 12 ranked schools with an average score of 5.5 out of 10 — a below-average baseline that reflects the academic challenges common across Mississippi's rural Delta region. Performance is uneven: four schools, or one in three, score 7 or higher, meaning families who research carefully can identify meaningfully stronger options within the district.
The top performer is Jerome W. Stampley 9th Grade Academy, the city's highest-rated school at 8.5 out of 10. Its strong score makes it a clear standout in the local landscape and a promising entry point into high school for students coming out of middle grades. At the elementary level, Jonestown Elementary posts an 8.0, making it the second-highest-rated school overall and a strong choice for younger children. Lyon Elementary (7.3) and Clarksdale Collegiate (7.1) round out the 7-plus tier, giving families of elementary-age students three solid options to consider. Clarksdale High School scores 6.9 — just below the 7.0 threshold — but remains the city's primary high school pathway for most students.
Below those top five, the remaining schools fall closer to or below the district average of 5.5, which means school selection within Clarksdale carries real stakes. The gap between the top-rated school (8.5) and the district mean (5.5) is three full points — a wide spread for a small city. Parents with flexibility on school assignment should prioritize schools in that upper tier.
Practically, Clarksdale is a small district where most families have limited school choice options outside district assignment boundaries. The stronger elementary schools — Jonestown and Lyon — are worth researching for enrollment processes, magnet seats, or transfer policies. Stampley's focus on 9th grade specifically may ease the middle-to-high-school transition for students entering at a high-performing baseline. Parents planning ahead should map their home address against school attendance zones early, since the performance range here makes neighborhood assignment one of the most consequential school decisions in this market.
Elementary Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.4 | ||
| 2 | 153 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.1 | ||
| 3 | 583 students · Kindergarten–7th | 6.9 | ||
| 4 | 143 students · Kindergarten–6th | 6.3 | ||
| 5 | 261 students · Pre-K–4th | 3.4 | ||
| 6 | 207 students · Pre-K–4th | 2.4 | ||
| 7 | 299 students · Pre-K–4th | 2.0 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Presbyterian Day School
Private
110 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.4 | ||
| 2 | St Elizabeth Catholic School
Private
100 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.4 | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 205 students · 5th–6th | 4.2 |
| 2 | 281 students · 7th–8th | 4.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 552 students · 7th–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 2 | 478 students · 10th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Lee Academy
Private
162 students · 7th–12th | 7.2 | ||
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 158 students · 9th–9th | 6.4 |
Schools in Clarksdale
Clarksdale, Mississippi · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$36,273
Median Home Value
$91,000
Median Rent
$762/mo
Population
16,384
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
50%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
36.5%
Community Profile
Clarksdale has a median household income of $36,273. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,000, with a median rent of $762/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Mississippi
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- 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 Clarksdale, Mississippi
How many schools are in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
Clarksdale has 15 schools, including 12 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clarksdale is 5.5 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 Clarksdale, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Clarksdale on MySchoolScout is Presbyterian Day School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clarksdale on MySchoolScout is Presbyterian Day School with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Clarksdale on MySchoolScout is Oakhurst Intermediate Academy with a composite score of 4.2/10.
What is the best high school in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Clarksdale on MySchoolScout is Lee Academy with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Clarksdale, Mississippi?
Clarksdale is served by 3 school districts: Clarksdale Collegiate District, Clarksdale Municipal School Dist, Coahoma County School District.
What is the education level in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Clarksdale have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
The median household income in Clarksdale is approximately $36,273 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
Yes, Clarksdale has 3 private schools alongside 12 public schools. The top-rated private school is Presbyterian Day School with a score of 8.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clarksdale, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clarksdale is 12.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clarksdale, 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.