Best Schools in Indianola, Mississippi
5 schools · 1 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Indianola?
Use this page to compare every school in Indianola 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.
Lockard Elementary School
Elementary · Sunflower Cty Cons School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carver Elementary School
Middle · Sunflower Cty Cons School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Robert L Merritt Junior High School
Middle · Sunflower Cty Cons School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Indianola for 2026 are Lockard Elementary School (8.7/10), Carver Elementary School (8.3/10), and Robert L Merritt Junior High School (8.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$126,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
4 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.5
out of 10
Median Home
$126,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +33.4 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Indianola schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Indianola
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lockard Elementary School | 8.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Carver Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Robert L Merritt Junior High School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Restoration Ministries Christian Academy | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Gentry High School | 5.6 / 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
- 7.5/10
- Median household income
- $42,965
- Median home value
- $126,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 55%
60% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Indianola compares
Mississippi rank
#13 of 120
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.2
above Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$43k
82% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Indianola, Mississippi
Indianola, Mississippi is home to 5 schools, including 4 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.5 out of 10, schools in Indianola perform strongly 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 Indianola is Lockard Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Indianola is served by 1 school district: SUNFLOWER CTY CONS SCHOOL DISTRICT. These districts collectively serve 2,863 students.
Indianola's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $42,965. The poverty rate in the area is 29.0%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 382 students · Kindergarten–3rd | 8.7 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 257 students · 4th–6th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 376 students · 7th–9th | 8.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 505 students · 10th–12th | 5.6 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 64 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.8 |
Schools in Indianola
Indianola, Mississippi · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$42,965
Median Home Value
$126,200
Median Rent
$760/mo
Population
10,255
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
55%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
29.0%
Community Profile
Indianola has a median household income of $42,965. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $126,200, with a median rent of $760/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.0%, 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
- 1
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
Resources
School District
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 Indianola, Mississippi
How many schools are in Indianola, Mississippi?
Indianola has 5 schools, including 4 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Indianola, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Indianola is 7.5 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 Indianola, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Lockard Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Indianola, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Lockard Elementary School with a composite score of 8.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Indianola, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Carver Elementary School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best high school in Indianola, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Indianola on MySchoolScout is Gentry High School with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Indianola, Mississippi?
Indianola is served by 1 school district: Sunflower Cty Cons School District.
What is the education level in Indianola, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Indianola have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Indianola, Mississippi?
The median household income in Indianola is approximately $42,965 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Indianola, Mississippi?
Yes, Indianola has 1 private school alongside 4 public schools. The top-rated private school is Restoration Ministries Christian Academy with a score of 6.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Indianola, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Indianola is 11.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Indianola, 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.