Henderson/ward-stewart Elementary

Henderson/Ward-Stewart Elementary serves 1,061 students in grades 2 through 4 in Starkville, Mississippi, making it a notably large elementary school with 68 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a manageable 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Located on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in the heart of Oktibbeha County, the school focuses exclusively on the crucial early elementary years when students build foundational academic skills.

Academically, Henderson/Ward-Stewart has room for growth, with 40% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 42% in mathematics. The school ranks 559th out of 865 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 36th percentile among Mississippi schools. These results reflect the broader challenges facing the school community, where nearly 30% of residents live below the poverty line.

The surrounding neighborhood presents a unique blend of educational opportunity and economic diversity. With a median household income of $42,761 and home values averaging $225,500, the area benefits from having 48% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, likely reflecting Starkville's connection to Mississippi State University. The school serves this remote town setting where families are working to provide strong educational foundations for their children during these critical early learning years.