Skip to main content

Average

#517 of 862 schools in MS

South Pontotoc High School

High School · PONTOTOC CO SCHOOL DIST

1523 South Pontotoc Road, Pontotoc, MS 38863

Enrollment

447

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pontotoc

#5 of 8

public schools

Mississippi high schools

#136 of 196

In district

#3 of 7

PONTOTOC CO SCHOOL DIST

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Exceptional

About South Pontotoc High School

South Pontotoc High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Pontotoc, Mississippi. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 447 students and employs 32 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. The academic performance at South Pontotoc High School is solid but with room for improvement.

The MySchoolScout rating reflects this, standing at 6.8 out of 10, placing the school at the 74th percentile among Mississippi's 865 schools. Specifically, in English Language Arts and Reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 42% meet proficiency standards. South Pontotoc High School is situated in a rural setting that offers a close-knit community feel, with a focus on supporting student development through individualized attention from teachers.

The school’s location provides a unique environment where students can benefit from smaller class sizes and personalized learning opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Pontotoc 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 Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected-2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,404

South Pontotoc High School — Students at South Pontotoc High School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
52%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How South Pontotoc High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in MS
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
8.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

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 5.8/10, 5.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is North Pontotoc High School (rated 4.2/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Ecru), a more accessible option. Additionally, NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 3.9/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby New Albany), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pontotoc, see our Pontotoc schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.9 mi
School Distance Rating
South Pontotoc Elementary School Pontotoc 0.0 mi 5.1
South Pontotoc Middle School Pontotoc 0.0 mi 6.6
IVY GREENE ACADEMY Pontotoc 4.6 mi 6.1
PONTOTOC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pontotoc 4.5 mi 6.6
PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL Pontotoc 5.1 mi 5.8
PONTOTOC JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pontotoc 5.2 mi 5.4
PONTOTOC MIDDLE SCHOOL Pontotoc 5.3 mi 6.8
D T COX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pontotoc 6.2 mi 6.5
North Pontotoc High School Ecru 10.4 mi 4.2
North Pontotoc Elementary School Ecru 10.4 mi 5.5
North Pontotoc Middle School Ecru 10.4 mi 7.7
NORTH PONTOTOC UPPER ELEMENTARY Ecru 10.9 mi 5.4
INGOMAR ATTENDANCE CENTER New Albany 13.1 mi 7.2
HOULKA ATTENDANCE CENTER Houston 13.4 mi 7.7
WEST UNION ATTENDANCE CENTER Myrtle 17.7 mi 7.2
NEW ALBANY MIDDLE SCHOOL New Albany 19.0 mi 5.3
NEW ALBANY HIGH SCHOOL New Albany 19.0 mi 3.9
VICTORY CHRISITIAN ACADEMY New Albany 19.7 mi 5.6
NEW ALBANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Albany 20.7 mi 6.6
HARRISBURG DAY SCHOOL Tupelo 17.9 mi

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Pontotoc High School has a median household income of $51,113. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,900, with a median rent of $882/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
HUMPHREYS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Belzoni, MS 6.0
ITAWAMBA AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL Fulton, MS 6.0
QUITMAN HIGH SCHOOL Quitman, MS 6.0
RALEIGH HIGH SCHOOL Raleigh, MS 6.0
SEMINARY HIGH SCHOOL Seminary, MS 6.0
SENATOBIA HIGH SCHOOL Senatobia, MS 6.0

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 is ranked #517 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is South Pontotoc High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Pontotoc High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 South Pontotoc High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Pontotoc High School has 42.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,162/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pontotoc). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
54.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Pontotoc County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.