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Below Average

#717 of 863 schools in MS

M. S. Palmer High School

High School · QUITMAN CO SCHOOL DIST

P O BOX 350, Marks, MS 38646

Enrollment

224

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

4.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#717 of 863

In Marks

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

QUITMAN CO SCHOOL DIST

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M. S. Palmer High School

4.7/10

High School in Marks · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Quitman County Middle School

5.1/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Quitman County Elementary School

8.5/10

3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About M. S. Palmer High School

M. S. Palmer High School is a public high school in Marks, MS, part of QUITMAN CO SCHOOL DIST.

M. S. Palmer High School serves approximately 224 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio.

M. S. Palmer High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #717 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for M. S. Palmer High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below MS schools
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

M. S. Palmer High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

40% of students at M. S. Palmer High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.67 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.3% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.9% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-33.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.4 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected+5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
College Readiness2.6Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate77%
AP Participation6.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,846
Chronic Absenteeism40.2%

M. S. Palmer High School — Students at M. S. Palmer High School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.0% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 28.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.5% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 32 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
64.5%
ELA
22%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
54.5%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
24.5%
2025
Math
33.3%
ELA
56.9%

* 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: 4.6/10.

How M. S. Palmer High School Compares

See how M. S. Palmer High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
17th percentile in MS
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
4.6/10
Below Average
Environment
5.3/10
Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.2
Sports
8
4 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
6.7% participation·State avg: 2.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics8sports offered
4 boys'·4 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P O BOX 350, Marks, MS 38646

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering M. S. Palmer High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LEE ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is WEST TALLAHATCHIE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.7/10, 20.7 miles away, in nearby Webb), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CLARKSDALE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Marks, see our Marks schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.7 mi
School Distance Rating
QUITMAN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Marks 0.9 mi 5.1
QUITMAN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lambert 3.1 mi 8.5
JONESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale 11.9 mi 6.3
LYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale 13.0 mi 7.4
GEO H OLIVER VISUAL/PERF. ARTS Clarksdale 16.1 mi 2.0
W.A. HIGGINS MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMY Clarksdale 16.1 mi 4.1
NORTH DELTA SCHOOL Batesville 16.4 mi 5.3
ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clarksdale 16.8 mi 7.4
BOOKER T WASHINGTON INTERN. STUDIES Clarksdale 17.0 mi 2.4
R H BEARDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sumner 20.1 mi 6.5
OAKHURST INTERMEDIATE ACADEMY Clarksdale 17.3 mi 4.2
WEST TALLAHATCHIE HIGH SCHOOL Webb 20.7 mi 5.7
JEROME W. STAMPLEY 9TH GRADE ACADEM Clarksdale 17.6 mi 6.4
LEE ACADEMY Clarksdale 17.5 mi 7.2
CLARKSDALE HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale 17.8 mi 4.7
CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charleston 20.3 mi 3.1
PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL Clarksdale 18.4 mi 8.4
CLARKSDALE COLLEGIATE Clarksdale 18.5 mi 6.9
KIRKPATRICK HEALTH /WELLNESS Clarksdale 18.5 mi 3.4
CHARLESTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Charleston 20.7 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38646 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,015

Median Home Value

$90,800

Median Rent

$597/mo

Population

2,571

College Educated

18.9%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

41.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
WEST LOWNDES HIGH SCHOOL Columbus, MS 4.8
SOUTH DELTA HIGH SCHOOL Rolling Fork, MS 5.0
WEST BOLIVAR HIGH SCHOOL Rosedale, MS 4.4
ASHLAND MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL Ashland, MS 5.3
LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Lake, MS 5.5
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL University, MS 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about M. S. Palmer High School

What grades does M. S. Palmer High School serve?

M. S. Palmer High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend M. S. Palmer High School?

M. S. Palmer High School has an enrollment of approximately 224 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at M. S. Palmer High School?

The student-teacher ratio at M. S. Palmer High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does M. S. Palmer High School rank in MS?

M. S. Palmer High School ranks #717 of 863 schools in MS.

What is M. S. Palmer High School's MySchoolScout rating?

M. S. Palmer High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at M. S. Palmer High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, M. S. Palmer High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is M. S. Palmer High School a charter school?

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

Is M. S. Palmer High School a Title I school?

No, M. S. Palmer High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for M. S. Palmer High School?

100.0% of students at M. S. Palmer 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

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Quitman County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.2%
4-Year Graduation
77.0%

District

QUITMAN CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
820
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,846
District Rank
#3 of 3

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