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Very Good

#253 of 863 schools in MS

Top 29% 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

7.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#253 of 863

In Decatur

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Newton County High School

7.4/10

High School in Decatur · grades 6th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Newton County Elementary School

8.1/10

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

N H Pilate Middle School

7.0/10

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

About Newton County High School

Newton County High School is a public high school in Decatur, MS, part of NEWTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. Newton County High School serves approximately 792 students, and covers grades 6th-12th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Newton County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #253 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Newton County High School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.4 pts above MS schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Newton County 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency76.4% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.9% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg+20.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.6 pts
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile65th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,887
Chronic Absenteeism22.9%

Newton County High School — Students at Newton County High School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 37 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
54%
ELA
58%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
69%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
45%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
51%
ELA
48%
2018
Math
54%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
54%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
34%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
49%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
78.5%
ELA
50.3%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Newton County High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
71th percentile in MS
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Sports
19
9 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
22.9%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics19sports offered
9 boys'·10 girls'·23 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 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

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 7.3/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Newton), with a very similar rating. Another option is UNION HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Union), with a very similar rating. Additionally, NESHOBA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 23.6 miles away, in nearby Philadelphia), a more accessible option. 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 8.1
N H PILATE MIDDLE SCHOOL Newton 7.9 mi 7.0
NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL Newton 8.4 mi 7.3
NEWTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Newton 8.6 mi 4.5
UNION MIDDLE SCHOOL Union 10.0 mi 7.5
UNION HIGH SCHOOL Union 10.2 mi 7.3
UNION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Union 10.2 mi 7.9
Conehatta Elementary School Conehatta 10.4 mi 8.2
LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake 14.5 mi 8.2
LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Lake 14.6 mi 5.5
LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake 15.5 mi 6.6
SEBASTOPOL ATTENDANCE CENTER Sebastopol 17.4 mi 6.8
Tucker Elementary School Philadelphia 19.8 mi 8.1
WEST LAUDERDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Collinsville 17.5 mi 6.7
WEST LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL Collinsville 17.5 mi 5.7
NESHOBA CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Philadelphia 23.4 mi 8.2
NESHOBA CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Philadelphia 23.5 mi 8.0
NESHOBA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia 23.6 mi 6.2
WEST LAUDERDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Meridian 20.7 mi 6.6
PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL Philadelphia 24.2 mi 4.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
PASS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Pass Christian, MS 7.4
POPLARVILLE JR SR HIGH SCHOOL Poplarville, MS 7.4
HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL Houston, MS 7.5
LOUISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Louisville, MS 7.3
SUMRALL HIGH SCHOOL Sumrall, MS 7.2
STONE HIGH SCHOOL Wiggins, 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 ranks #253 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Newton County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Newton County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Newton County High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Newton County High School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
22.9%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

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

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