Needs Improvement
#832 of 862 schools in MS
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy
Middle School · CLARKSDALE MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST
PO Box 1088, Clarksdale, MS 38614
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
3.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
281
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
3.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Clarksdale
#9 of 12
public schools
Mississippi middle schools
#174 of 183
In district
#4 of 7
CLARKSDALE MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST
About W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy
W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy is a regular public middle school located in Clarksdale, Mississippi, serving students in grades seven and eight. With an enrollment of 281 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, the school provides a supportive environment with 20 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students' education.
Academically, W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy has room for improvement, ranking in the lower percentile among Mississippi schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.6 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, only 16% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 15% meet the same criteria in Math.
Despite these challenges, the school focuses on student development and offers various programs to support its diverse community. Located in a remote town setting, W.A. Higgins Middle School Academy is part of the Coahoma County educational landscape, providing essential services to students in this area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy — Students at W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 3.3/10.
How W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy Compares
See how W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 20% (2019) to 14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
PO Box 1088, Clarksdale, MS 38614
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. OAKHURST INTERMEDIATE ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, QUITMAN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Marks), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Clarksdale, see our Clarksdale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GEO H OLIVER VISUAL/PERF. ARTS Clarksdale | 0.1 mi | 3.6 |
| BOOKER T WASHINGTON INTERN. STUDIES Clarksdale | 1.0 mi | 3.6 |
| ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clarksdale | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| OAKHURST INTERMEDIATE ACADEMY Clarksdale | 1.4 mi | 5.5 |
| JEROME W. STAMPLEY 9TH GRADE ACADEM Clarksdale | 1.5 mi | 9.2 |
| CLARKSDALE HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| LEE ACADEMY Clarksdale | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 2.5 mi | 8.4 |
| KIRKPATRICK HEALTH /WELLNESS Clarksdale | 2.5 mi | 2.1 |
| CLARKSDALE COLLEGIATE Clarksdale | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| COAHOMA COUNTY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale | 3.2 mi | 6.1 |
| LYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| JONESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 10.8 mi | 7.9 |
| FRIARS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 12.4 mi | 5.2 |
| BROOKS ELEM SCHOOL Duncan | 15.5 mi | 6.9 |
| QUITMAN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lambert | 15.3 mi | 6.8 |
| M. S. PALMER HIGH SCHOOL Marks | 16.1 mi | 6.7 |
| QUITMAN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Marks | 16.4 mi | 5.5 |
| R H BEARDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sumner | 19.0 mi | 5.8 |
| WEST TALLAHATCHIE HIGH SCHOOL Webb | 20.6 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 38614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$36,273
Median Home Value
$91,000
Median Rent
$762/mo
Population
16,384
College Educated
19.2%
Homeownership
50.1%
Avg Commute
18.4 min
Poverty Rate
36.5%
Median Age
34.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy has a median household income of $36,273. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $91,000, with a median rent of $762/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| NORTH PANOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL Como, MS | 4.0 |
| CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charleston, MS | 3.5 |
| COLEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Greenville, MS | 4.1 |
| FRANKLIN UPPER ELEMENTARY Meadville, MS | 4.1 |
| NETTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nettleton, MS | 3.4 |
| MENDENHALL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mendenhall, MS | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy
What grades does W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy serve?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy has an enrollment of approximately 281 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy rank in MS?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy is ranked #832 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy has a composite rating of 3.8 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 W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy has 14.9% math proficiency and 15.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy a charter school?
No, W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy a Title I school?
No, W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy?
100.0% of students at W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (154/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 281
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Coahoma County
- Phone
- (662) 627-8550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CLARKSDALE MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 1,889
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,773
- District Rank
- #4 of 7
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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