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Below Average

#698 of 863 schools in MS

West Lowndes High School

High School · LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST

646 S. FRONTAGE ROAD, Columbus, MS 39701

Enrollment

216

Student-Teacher

8:1

Score

4.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#698 of 863

In Columbus

#6 of 13

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST

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West Lowndes High School

4.8/10

High School in Columbus · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Franklin Academy

4.3/10

4.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

West Lowndes Elementary

4.7/10

5.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About West Lowndes High School

West Lowndes High School is a public high school in Columbus, MS, part of LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST. West Lowndes High School serves approximately 216 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 8:1 student-teacher ratio. West Lowndes High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #698 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for West Lowndes High School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at West Lowndes High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

At 8:1 students to teachers, West Lowndes High School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

West Lowndes 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.2% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-28.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.9 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness3.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84.5%
AP Participation7.4%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,059
Chronic Absenteeism41.2%

West Lowndes High School — Students at West Lowndes High School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
56.8% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 24.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
42.8% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 37 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
34.5%
ELA
24.5%
2010
Math
44.5%
ELA
24.5%
2011
Math
44.5%
ELA
34.5%
2012
Math
74.5%
ELA
44.5%
2013
Math
84.5%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
17%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
17%
2025
Math
35.1%
ELA
30.8%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How West Lowndes High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in MS
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.2
Sports
9
5 boys' · 4 girls'
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
7.4% participation·State avg: 2.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics9sports offered
5 boys'·4 girls'·9 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

646 S. FRONTAGE ROAD, Columbus, MS 39701

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Lowndes High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE (rated 8.2/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 10.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby West Point), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbus, see our Columbus schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
FRANKLIN ACADEMY Columbus 4.3 mi 4.3
WEST LOWNDES ELEMENTARY Columbus 5.1 mi 4.7
MS SCHOOL FOR MATH AND SCIENCE Columbus 4.8 mi 8.2
COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.3 mi 5.2
HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbus 5.5 mi 6.1
STOKES BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 5.8 mi 4.3
COLUMBUS MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 6.9 mi 3.8
ANNUNCIATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbus 6.7 mi 7.0
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 6.8 mi 4.3
COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 6.9 mi 3.1
SALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 7.7 mi 3.7
COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Steens 9.8 mi 6.6
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL West Point 11.0 mi 5.8
NEW HOPE HIGH SCHOOL Columbus 10.5 mi 6.8
NEW HOPE MIDDLE SCHOOL Columbus 10.5 mi 7.1
NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus 10.6 mi 6.8
EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point 12.0 mi 7.9
CHURCH HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point 11.8 mi 6.8
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Point 11.8 mi 7.4
OAK HILL ACADEMY West Point 12.2 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39701 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$28,523

Median Home Value

$121,400

Median Rent

$849/mo

Population

12,591

College Educated

22.8%

Homeownership

46.2%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

33%

Median Age

43.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
M. S. PALMER HIGH SCHOOL Marks, MS 4.7
SOUTH DELTA HIGH SCHOOL Rolling Fork, MS 5.0
WEST BOLIVAR HIGH SCHOOL Rosedale, MS 4.4
ASHLAND MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL Ashland, MS 5.3
LAKE HIGH SCHOOL Lake, MS 5.5
THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL University, MS 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Lowndes High School

What grades does West Lowndes High School serve?

West Lowndes High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend West Lowndes High School?

West Lowndes High School has an enrollment of approximately 216 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Lowndes High School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Lowndes High School is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Lowndes High School rank in MS?

West Lowndes High School ranks #698 of 863 schools in MS.

What is West Lowndes High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Lowndes High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 West Lowndes High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Lowndes High School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Lowndes High School a charter school?

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

Is West Lowndes High School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at West Lowndes 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lowndes County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.2%
4-Year Graduation
84.5%

District

LOWNDES CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
5,360
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,059
District Rank
#7 of 8

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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