Below Average

#728 of 863 schools in MS

South Pontotoc High School

High School · PONTOTOC CO SCHOOL DIST

1523 South Pontotoc Road, Pontotoc, MS 38863

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#728 of 863

In Pontotoc

#8 of 8

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

PONTOTOC CO SCHOOL DIST

Academic performance

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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About South Pontotoc High School

South Pontotoc High School is a public high school in Pontotoc, MS, part of PONTOTOC CO SCHOOL DIST. South Pontotoc High School serves approximately 447 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. South Pontotoc High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #728 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for South Pontotoc High School show 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district

4.6

This school 4.6 · Below Average
District avg 4.5
MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

South Pontotoc 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.

52% of students at South Pontotoc 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 Progress4.1Below Average25%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data16

Annual Change-1.9 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2025

TrendDeclining

Academics7.6Very Good25%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency77.2% (2025 MAAP)

Reading/ELA Proficiency49% (2025 MAAP)

Math vs. State Avg+10.2 pts

Reading vs. State Avg-0.5 pts

Overall Proficiency63% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)

vs. Expected-0.1 pts

Adjusted Percentile65th

College Readiness4.2Below Average30%

Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.

View breakdown

4-Year Graduation Rate87%

AP Participation5.1%

IB ProgramNo

Resources & Environment1.9Needs Improvement20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio14:1

Per-Pupil Spending$10,351

Chronic Absenteeism52.1%

South Pontotoc High School — Students at South Pontotoc High School score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

54.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

67.0% (2025 MAAP)

ELA Proficiency 57.8% (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

67%

ELA

67%

2010

Math

97.5%

ELA

77%

2011

Math

62%

ELA

67%

2012

Math

87%

ELA

72%

2013

Math

82%

ELA

67%

2014

Math

37%

ELA

67%

2015

Math

47%

ELA

62%

2016

Math

47%

ELA

57%

2017

Math

37%

ELA

52%

2018

Math

32%

ELA

52%

2019

Math

32%

ELA

52%

2020*

Math

37%

ELA

37%

2021*

Math

37%

ELA

37%

2022

Math

57%

ELA

52%

2025

Math

77.2%

ELA

49%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How South Pontotoc High School Compares

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

Overall Score

4.6/10

16th percentile in MS

Academic

7.6/10

Very Good

Growth

4.1/10

Below Average

Environment

1.9/10

Needs Improvement

AP Courses

State avg: 2.2

Sports

6 boys' · 8 girls'

Advanced STEM

5/5

Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

55%

Teaching Staff

14:1 student-teacher ratio

32 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

52.1%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered

5.1% participation·State avg: 2.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22

Athletics14sports offered

6 boys'·8 girls'·20 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

1523 South Pontotoc Road, Pontotoc, MS 38863

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Pontotoc High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby New Albany), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Pontotoc High School (rated 4.4/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Ecru), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Pontotoc, see our Pontotoc schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
South Pontotoc Elementary School Pontotoc	0.0 mi	797	7.0
South Pontotoc Middle School Pontotoc	0.0 mi	388	4.7
IVY GREENE ACADEMY Pontotoc	4.6 mi	34	6.1
PONTOTOC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pontotoc	4.5 mi	630	6.7
PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL Pontotoc	5.1 mi	713	6.0
PONTOTOC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pontotoc	5.2 mi	355	5.0
PONTOTOC MIDDLE SCHOOL Pontotoc	5.3 mi	326	5.3
D T COX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pontotoc	6.2 mi	332	7.5
North Pontotoc High School Ecru	10.4 mi	520	4.4
North Pontotoc Elementary School Ecru	10.4 mi	761	7.1
North Pontotoc Middle School Ecru	10.4 mi	261	7.5
NORTH PONTOTOC UPPER ELEMENTARY Ecru	10.9 mi	307	5.8
INGOMAR ATTENDANCE CENTER New Albany	13.1 mi	668	7.7
HOULKA ATTENDANCE CENTER Houston	13.4 mi	468	8.0
WEST UNION ATTENDANCE CENTER Myrtle	17.7 mi	686	8.1
NEW ALBANY MIDDLE SCHOOL New Albany	19.0 mi	456	7.1
NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL New Albany	19.0 mi	596	5.9
VICTORY CHRISITIAN ACADEMY New Albany	19.7 mi	57	5.6
NEW ALBANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Albany	20.7 mi	1,073	7.8
HARRISBURG DAY SCHOOL Tupelo	17.9 mi	7	—

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38863 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,113

Median Home Value

$138,900

Median Rent

$882/mo

Population

18,849

College Educated

19.1%

Homeownership

67.6%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

36.6

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
MAGEE HIGH SCHOOL Magee, MS	404	4.5
NOXUBEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Macon, MS	421	4.5
O'BANNON HIGH SCHOOL Greenville, MS	429	4.5
CLARKSDALE HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale, MS	478	4.7
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL Meadville, MS	427	4.7
HAZLEHURST HIGH SCHOOL Hazlehurst, MS	436	4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Pontotoc High School

What grades does South Pontotoc High School serve?

South Pontotoc High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Pontotoc High School?

South Pontotoc High School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Pontotoc High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Pontotoc 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 South Pontotoc High School rank in MS?

South Pontotoc High School ranks #728 of 863 schools in MS.

What is South Pontotoc High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Pontotoc High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 South Pontotoc High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Pontotoc High School has 56% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is South Pontotoc High School a charter school?

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

Is South Pontotoc High School a Title I school?

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

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

54.6% of students at South Pontotoc 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.