Skip to main content

Very Good

#131 of 862 schools in MS

Top 15% in state

Water Valley High School

High School · WATER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

P.O. Box 647, Water Valley, MS 38965

Enrollment

400

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

7.7

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Water Valley

#1 of 2

public schools

Mississippi high schools

#33 of 196

In district

#1 of 2

WATER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Water Valley High School

Water Valley High School, located in the remote rural setting of Water Valley, Mississippi, offers education to students from seventh through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 400 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.8:1, the school aims to provide personalized attention and support to each student. The faculty consists of 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering academic growth.

Water Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating is 6.3 out of 10, placing it at the 65th percentile among Mississippi schools. Academically, 36% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 44% reach proficiency or higher in Math. Although these numbers indicate areas for improvement, the school continues to focus on student development and learning.

The rural setting around Water Valley High School provides a close-knit community atmosphere where students and families are closely connected.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Water Valley 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 Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Math vs. State Avg-6.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.1 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-6.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation21.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,966

Water Valley High School — Students at Water Valley High School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 44.3%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 35.9%
School
State
41.7%

Based on 10 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
33%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
51%
ELA
40%
2024
Math
54.3%
ELA
33.7%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Water Valley High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
85th percentile in MS
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 647, Water Valley, MS 38965

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Water Valley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Oxford), with a comparable rating. Another option is SOUTH PANOLA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Batesville), a more accessible option. Additionally, OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 17.3 miles away, in nearby Oxford), a more accessible option. For more schools in Water Valley, see our Water Valley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
DAVIDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Water Valley 1.1 mi 5.8
COFFEEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coffeeville 12.4 mi 8.2
COFFEEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Coffeeville 12.6 mi 5.5
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL Oxford 15.6 mi 5.6
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL University 15.7 mi 5.6
LAFAYETTE UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oxford 15.6 mi 6.2
LAFAYETTE MIDDLE SCHOOL Oxford 15.6 mi 7.1
LAFAYETTE HIGH SCHOOL Oxford 15.6 mi 7.0
OXFORD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Oxford 16.2 mi 6.3
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Oxford 16.2 mi 6.9
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oxford 16.1 mi 7.1
BRAMLETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oxford 16.4 mi 7.3
OXFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL Oxford 16.5 mi 5.2
DELLA DAVIDSON ELEMENTARY Oxford 17.0 mi 5.2
MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Oxford 17.9 mi 6.1
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL Oxford 17.3 mi 5.8
OXFORD EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Oxford 17.9 mi
REGENTS SCHOOL OF OXFORD Oxford 18.8 mi 7.2
POPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pope 17.6 mi 6.4
SOUTH PANOLA HIGH SCHOOL Batesville 20.1 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38965 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,368

Median Home Value

$121,500

Median Rent

$655/mo

Population

8,801

College Educated

15.1%

Homeownership

73.9%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

19.4%

Median Age

40.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Water Valley High School has a median household income of $57,368. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,500, with a median rent of $655/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
ALCORN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Glen, MS 7.7
BYHALIA HIGH SCHOOL (9-12) Byhalia, MS 7.7
NETTLETON HIGH SCHOOL Nettleton, MS 7.7
CHOCTAW COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Ackerman, MS 7.8
BIGGERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Corinth, MS 7.6
CLARKSDALE HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale, MS 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Water Valley High School

What grades does Water Valley High School serve?

Water Valley High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Water Valley High School?

Water Valley High School has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Water Valley High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Water Valley High School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Water Valley High School rank in MS?

Water Valley High School is ranked #131 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Water Valley High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Water Valley High School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Water Valley High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Water Valley High School has 44.3% math proficiency and 35.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Water Valley High School a charter school?

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

Is Water Valley High School a Title I school?

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

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

64.8% of students at Water Valley 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
15 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,428/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Yalobusha County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

WATER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,024
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,907
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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.