For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 10,192 students in Lauderdale County, MS (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,750 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Lauderdale County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lauderdale County, MS are West Lauderdale High School, Clarkdale Elementary School and Clarkdale High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lauderdale County, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Lauderdale County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 59% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Lauderdale County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Lauderdale High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9916 West Lauderdale Road
Collinsville, MS 39325
(601) 737-2277
Collinsville, MS 39325
(601) 737-2277
Gr: 9-13 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Clarkdale Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7000 Highway 145
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-4463
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-4463
Gr: PK-6 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Clarkdale High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7000 Highway 145
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-4463
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-4463
Gr: 7-12 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
West Lauderdale Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9916a West Lauderdale Road
Collinsville, MS 39325
(601) 737-8689
Collinsville, MS 39325
(601) 737-8689
Gr: 5-8 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
West Lauderdale Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10350 Highway 495
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 737-2279
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 737-2279
Gr: PK-4 | 761 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #66.
Southeast Lauderdale High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2362 Longcreek Raod
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 483-5501
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 483-5501
Gr: 9-13 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Southeast Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2362 A Long Creek Road
Meridian, MS 39031
(601) 486-2500
Meridian, MS 39031
(601) 486-2500
Gr: PK-4 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #88.
Northeast High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
702 Briarwood Road
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 679-8523
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 679-8523
Gr: 9-13 | 605 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #99.
Southeast Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2535 Old Highway 19 S.e.
Meridian, MS 39031
(601) 485-5751
Meridian, MS 39031
(601) 485-5751
Gr: 5-8 | 371 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1010.
Northeast Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6750 Newell Road
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 485-4882
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 485-4882
Gr: PK-4 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1111.
Northeast Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7763 Highway 39 North
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 483-3532
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 483-3532
Gr: 5-8 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1212.
Poplar Springs Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4101 27th Ave
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4450
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4450
Gr: K-5 | 405 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1313.
Meridian High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2320 32nd Street
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 482-3191
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 482-3191
Gr: 9-13 | 1,251 student Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
West Hills Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4100 32nd St
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4472
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4472
Gr: K-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
Crestwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
730 Crestwood Dr
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 484-4971
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 484-4971
Gr: K-5 | 368 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1616.
Magnolia Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1350 24th Street
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4060
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4060
Gr: 6-8 | 440 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1717.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1225 26th St
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4990
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4990
Gr: K-5 | 364 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1818.
Northwest Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4400 32nd Street
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4094
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4094
Gr: 6-8 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
900 44th Ave
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4482
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4482
Gr: PK-5 | 506 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Marion Park Complex
Alternative School
2815 25th St.
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 484-5166
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 484-5166
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
3930 14th St
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4463
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4463
Gr: PK | 142 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Ross Collins Voc Center
Vocational School
2640 24th Ave
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 483-3331
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 483-3331
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lauderdale County, MS?
The top-ranked public schools in Lauderdale County, MS include West Lauderdale High School, Clarkdale Elementary School and Clarkdale High School.
How many public schools are located in Lauderdale County?
22 public schools are located in Lauderdale County.
What percentage of students in Lauderdale County go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in Lauderdale County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lauderdale County?
Lauderdale County public schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Lauderdale County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lauderdale County include: Northwest Middle School vs. Magnolia Middle School, Magnolia Middle School vs. Northwest Middle School, Southeast Lauderdale High School vs. West Lauderdale High School
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