Average
#304 of 862 schools in MS
Top 35% in state
Newton County High School
High School · NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
16255 Highway 503, Decatur, MS 39327
Enrollment
792
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
792
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Decatur
#2 of 2
public schools
Mississippi high schools
#87 of 196
In district
#2 of 2
NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Newton County High School
Newton County High School serves grades 6 through 12 in Decatur, Mississippi, with an enrollment of 792 students. Located at 16255 Highway 503 in a remote rural area, the school has 54 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. Academically, Newton County High School is performing near the middle of Mississippi's school rankings, placing at the 64th percentile statewide (#316 out of 865 schools).
The school's overall academic score stands at 6.5/10, with room for growth in several areas. In mathematics, 58% of students are performing at or above proficient levels across grades, while English Language Arts shows 46% proficiency or above. These results reflect a school community with diverse learning needs and varying levels of academic achievement.
The school serves its rural community with a comprehensive education spanning middle and high school years under one roof. For families considering Newton County High School, the accessible student-teacher ratio and established presence in the Newton County area may appeal to those seeking education in this remote rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Newton County 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
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Newton County High School — Students at Newton County High School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.1/10.
How Newton County High School Compares
See how Newton County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 49% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
16255 Highway 503, Decatur, MS 39327
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Newton County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Newton), which scores notably higher. Another option is UNION HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Union), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LAKE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Lake), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NEWTON COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Decatur | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| N H PILATE MIDDLE SCHOOL Newton | 7.9 mi | 6.1 |
| NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL Newton | 8.4 mi | 8.0 |
| NEWTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newton | 8.6 mi | 4.3 |
| UNION MIDDLE SCHOOL Union | 10.0 mi | 7.0 |
| UNION HIGH SCHOOL Union | 10.2 mi | 7.5 |
| UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Union | 10.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Conehatta Elementary School Conehatta | 10.4 mi | 8.1 |
| LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake | 14.5 mi | 5.1 |
| LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Lake | 14.6 mi | 7.1 |
| LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake | 15.5 mi | 7.3 |
| SEBASTOPOL ATTENDANCE CENTER Sebastopol | 17.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Tucker Elementary School Philadelphia | 19.8 mi | 8.1 |
| WEST LAUDERDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Collinsville | 17.5 mi | 7.3 |
| WEST LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL Collinsville | 17.5 mi | 7.0 |
| NESHOBA CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Philadelphia | 23.4 mi | 7.3 |
| NESHOBA CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Philadelphia | 23.5 mi | 7.8 |
| NESHOBA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia | 23.6 mi | 6.7 |
| WEST LAUDERDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Meridian | 20.7 mi | 5.6 |
| PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia | 24.2 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 39327 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,989
Median Home Value
$137,800
Median Rent
$828/mo
Population
4,675
College Educated
24.9%
Homeownership
77.5%
Avg Commute
25.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
28.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Newton County High School has a median household income of $54,989. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $137,800, with a median rent of $828/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| STONE HIGH SCHOOL Wiggins, MS | 6.9 |
| WINONA SECONDARY SCHOOL Winona, MS | 6.9 |
| LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL Oxford, MS | 7.0 |
| WEST LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL Collinsville, MS | 7.0 |
| LAWRENCE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Monticello, MS | 6.8 |
| GAUTIER HIGH SCHOOL Gautier, MS | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Newton County High School
What grades does Newton County High School serve?
Newton County High School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Newton County High School?
Newton County High School has an enrollment of approximately 792 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Newton County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Newton County High School is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Newton County High School rank in MS?
Newton County High School is ranked #304 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Newton County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Newton County High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Newton County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Newton County High School has 58.4% math proficiency and 46.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Newton County High School a charter school?
No, Newton County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Newton County High School a Title I school?
No, Newton County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Newton County High School?
56.7% of students at Newton County 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 792
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Newton County
- Phone
- (601) 635-4261
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,615
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,887
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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.
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