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Very Good

#180 of 862 schools in MS

Top 21% in state

Tupelo High School

High School · TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST

4125 Golden Wave Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801

Enrollment

2,101

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tupelo

#5 of 12

public schools

Mississippi high schools

#51 of 196

In district

#5 of 12

TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Tupelo High School

Tupelo High School serves 2,101 students in grades 9-12 as one of Mississippi's larger public high schools. With 133 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for a comprehensive high school experience. Academically, Tupelo High School demonstrates solid performance, ranking #271 out of 865 Mississippi high schools and earning a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10.

The school shows particular strength in mathematics, with 69% of students achieving proficient or above levels across grade levels. English Language Arts performance stands at 53% proficient or above, indicating areas where the school continues to focus on student development. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $60,141 and median home values average $168,200.

About 28% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate remains at 14.9%, suggesting a mix of economic backgrounds among families. This demographic diversity can provide students with varied perspectives and experiences during their high school years. Located on Golden Wave Drive in Lee County, Tupelo High School sits in a remote town setting that offers a close-knit community atmosphere while still providing the resources and opportunities of a substantial educational institution.

What Parents Should Know

Tupelo High School is a large school with 2,101 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53%
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College Readiness6.4Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,682

Tupelo High School — Students at Tupelo High School score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.0%
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
44%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
69%
ELA
53%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Tupelo High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
79th percentile in MS
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
133 teachers

Location

4125 Golden Wave Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tupelo High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. TUPELO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PARKWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, THOMAS STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Tupelo, see our Tupelo schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
HARRISBURG DAY SCHOOL Tupelo 0.5 mi
PARKWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 1.2 mi 7.5
THOMAS STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 1.6 mi 7.5
LAWNDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 2.1 mi 5.8
RANKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 2.6 mi 6.2
PIERCE STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 2.6 mi 5.1
LAKEVIEW BAPTIST ACADEMY Tupelo 2.5 mi 5.9
TUPELO MIDDLE SCHOOL Tupelo 2.8 mi 6.9
JOYNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 3.6 mi 7.5
MILAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 3.5 mi 6.2
VERONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Verona 3.5 mi 3.9
CALVARY BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN & PRESCHOOL Tupelo 3.7 mi
FIRST BAPTIST DAY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Tupelo 3.8 mi
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTER Tupelo 4.5 mi 6.5
CARVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 4.4 mi 7.5
LAWHON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tupelo 5.1 mi 5.2
TUPELO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Tupelo 6.0 mi 8.0
PLANTERSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Plantersville 6.3 mi 5.5
SHANNON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shannon 7.9 mi 4.8
SHANNON HIGH SCHOOL Shannon 7.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,447

Median Home Value

$187,600

Median Rent

$954/mo

Population

29,817

College Educated

28.8%

Homeownership

61%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Median Age

35.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tupelo High School has a median household income of $63,447. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,600, with a median rent of $954/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL Hernando, MS 7.3
BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL Brandon, MS 7.6
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL Clinton, MS 7.7
ST MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL Ocean Springs, MS 7.1
GULFPORT HIGH SCHOOL Gulfport, MS 7.8
LEWISBURG HIGH SCHOOL Olive Branch, MS 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tupelo High School

What grades does Tupelo High School serve?

Tupelo High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Tupelo High School?

Tupelo High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,101 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tupelo High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tupelo High School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tupelo High School rank in MS?

Tupelo High School is ranked #180 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Tupelo High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tupelo High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Tupelo High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tupelo High School has 44.3% math proficiency and 46.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tupelo High School a charter school?

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

Is Tupelo High School a Title I school?

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

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

59.4% of students at Tupelo 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,184/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,101
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
133
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Lee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

TUPELO PUBLIC SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
7,134
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,155
District Rank
#5 of 12

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

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