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#632 of 862 schools in MS

Independence High School

High School · TATE CO SCHOOL DIST

P. O. Box 159, Independence, MS 38638

Enrollment

539

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi high schools

#163 of 196

In district

#4 of 5

TATE CO SCHOOL DIST

About Independence High School

Independence High School in Independence, Mississippi, serves students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 539 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student thrive. Located in a rural setting, Independence High offers a close-knit community where teachers can really connect with their students.

The academic performance at Independence High School shows areas for growth, with state rankings placing it around the 33rd percentile among Mississippi schools. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 25% and Math proficiency stands at 35%, indicating that while there's room for improvement, the school remains committed to student development. Independence High School sits in a rural part of Tate County, offering students a peaceful setting with close ties to their community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Independence High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Math vs. State Avg-8.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.1 pts
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,486

Independence High School — Students at Independence High School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.1%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 24.6%
School
State
41.7%

Based on 10 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
38%
ELA
19%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
20%
2022
Math
49%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
28.3%
ELA
25.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.4/10.

How Independence High School Compares

See how Independence High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
27th percentile in MS
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
4.4/10
Below average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

P. O. Box 159, Independence, MS 38638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BYHALIA HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) (rated 7.7/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Byhalia), which scores notably higher. Another option is HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Hernando), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Olive Branch), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Independence, see our Independence schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.3 mi
School Distance Rating
EAST TATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coldwater 1.0 mi 4.1
LEWISBURG MIDDLE Hernando 10.8 mi 5.2
SENATOBIA HIGH SCHOOL Senatobia 9.4 mi 6.0
SENATOBIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Senatobia 9.4 mi 4.7
SENATOBIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Senatobia 10.0 mi 6.8
MAGNOLIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL Senatobia 10.2 mi 5.3
COLDWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coldwater 10.1 mi 7.4
COMO PRIMARY Como 12.5 mi 5.9
NORTH PANOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL Como 12.6 mi 4.0
LEWISBURG PRIMARY Olive Branch 14.3 mi 5.9
LEWISBURG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Olive Branch 14.4 mi 7.3
LEWISBURG INTERMEDIATE Olive Branch 14.5 mi 7.8
LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL Olive Branch 14.7 mi 7.0
HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL Hernando 14.6 mi 7.3
HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL Hernando 14.9 mi 5.6
HERNANDO ELEM Hernando 14.9 mi 6.0
GALENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (K-7) Holly Springs 13.6 mi 4.0
BYHALIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (K-4) Byhalia 16.1 mi 2.6
BYHALIA MIDDLE SCHOOL (5-8) Byhalia 16.1 mi 3.9
BYHALIA HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Byhalia 16.3 mi 7.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
HAZLEHURST HIGH SCHOOL Hazlehurst, MS 5.5
CRYSTAL SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Crystal Springs, MS 5.6
VANCLEAVE HIGH SCHOOL Vancleave, MS 5.4
WEST MARION HIGH SCHOOL Foxworth, MS 5.6
EAST MARION HIGH SCHOOL Columbia, MS 5.7
FOREST HIGH SCHOOL Forest, MS 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence High School

What grades does Independence High School serve?

Independence High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Independence High School?

Independence High School has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Independence High School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence High School rank in MS?

Independence High School is ranked #632 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Independence High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence High School has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Independence High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence High School has 35.1% math proficiency and 24.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence High School a charter school?

No, Independence High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independence High School a Title I school?

No, Independence High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Independence High School?

72.5% of students at Independence High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (633/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Tate County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

TATE CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
2,060
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,208
District Rank
#4 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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