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C
Schools in Canton · Canton Public School District

Canton’s public schools score below 68% of Mississippi districts on tests and graduation

In Canton, 30% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Mississippi average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Canton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Mississippi, not nationally.

≈could be anywhere from D to B−#81of 101 Mississippi townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Mississippi state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
30%
▼ 12 pts vs MS 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
40%
▼ 7 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 5–9 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.3K
▼ 1% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.8
MS 13.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
8
2,779 students on the public path
In brief

Canton’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 40% in math, against 42% and 47% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi (the state reports Canton’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,278 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then two middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Sr1 College Prep & STEM Academy and Canton Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Canton’s grade

B− Test scoresD Graduation

C: better than 32% of Mississippi school districts, #81 of 101 Mississippi towns. Both inputs trail the Mississippi average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Mississippi school districts we grade (150)Better than 32%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (139)Better than 29%
DB−A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 1,688 test results and a graduating class of 178 could put Canton anywhere from D to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Canton’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,723 in math, 1,653 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Canton, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC−
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C
9–12Canton High SchoolCanton Public School DistrictC−

Canton’s public schools are run by Canton Public School District. Parts of Canton (3% of its land) are served by Madison County instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Canton Public School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 7 schools · 3,157 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 15.8 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$12,278MS $12,392 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading30%
State average 41.7% · 1653 students tested
Math40%
State average 47% · 1723 students tested

Canton vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Canton’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CantonCCanton Public
GluckstadtAMadison County

Every school in Canton

8 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Mississippi’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Cantonby address
Canton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
411 students17:1Rate it →
McNeal Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
385 students17:1Rate it →
Jimmie M Goodloe Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
366 students15:1Rate it →
Nichols Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
362 students13:1Rate it →
Huey L Porter Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
356 students13:1Rate it →
Canton High School
High · Grades 9–12
C−
899 students18:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Sr1 College Prep & STEM Academy
Elementary · Grades K–2
Charter
87 students29:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Canton Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Nonsectarian
366 students13:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Canton Educational Services Center and Canton Career Center).

Questions about Canton’s schools

Are Canton’s schools good?

On Mississippi’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Canton children attend score below 68% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #81 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Canton in?

Canton Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,157 students in 7 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Canton are served by Madison County.

Where do Canton kids go to high school?

Canton High School, with 899 students; its own test results earn a C−.

What is Canton’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Canton Public School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.

How much does Canton spend per student?

$12,278 in Canton Public School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Canton?

Yes: Canton Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 366 students). Canton also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Canton families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Canton → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Mississippi. Stars are from neighbors.