Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Carthage

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Leake County CourthousePhoto: Marduk · Public domain
C
Schools in Carthage · Leake County School District

Carthage’s public schools score below 72% of Mississippi districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 22% of Carthage’s students scored proficient, below the Mississippi average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Carthage, 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.

#83of 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
24%
▼ 18 pts vs MS 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
22%
▼ 25 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▼ 0–4 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.1K
▼ 2% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.4
MS 13.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
4
1,825 students on the public path
In brief

Carthage’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 157 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Carthage’s, its schools beat 21%, lower than their 28% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 22% in math, against 42% and 47% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi (the state reports Carthage’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,106 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Leake Central Junior High School, then Leake Central High School. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Carthage Christian Academy (private) is 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 Carthage’s grade

C− Test scoresC Graduation

C: better than 28% of Mississippi school districts, #83 of 101 Mississippi towns. Both inputs trail the Mississippi average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.

Mississippi school districts we grade (150)Better than 28%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (157)Better than 21%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,358 test results and a graduating class of 194 could put Carthage anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Carthage’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,371 in math, 1,346 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5Leake Central Elementary SchoolLeake County School DistrictC−
6–8Leake Central Junior High SchoolLeake County School DistrictC−
9–12Leake Central High SchoolLeake County School DistrictC

Carthage’s public schools are run by Leake County School District, which also serves Lena and Walnut Grove. 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.

Leake County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,408 students, down 8% since 2020–21 · 14.4 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$12,106MS $12,392 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading24%
State average 41.7% · 1346 students tested
Math22%
State average 47% · 1371 students tested

Carthage vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
CarthageCLeake County

Every school in Carthage

4 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 Carthageby address
Leake Central Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
850 students16:1Rate it →
Leake Central Junior High School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
383 students14:1Rate it →
Leake Central High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
592 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Carthage Christian Academy
Grades 1–12
Private · Religious
49 students5:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Leake Co Career & Technical Center).

Questions about Carthage’s schools

Are Carthage’s schools good?

On Mississippi’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Carthage children attend score below 72% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #83 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Carthage in?

Leake County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,408 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Carthage kids go to high school?

Leake Central High School, with 592 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Carthage’s graduation rate?

85–89% of the class of 2023 in Leake County School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.

How much does Carthage spend per student?

$12,106 in Leake County School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Carthage?

Yes: Carthage Christian Academy (religious, grades 1–12, 49 students).

Parents talk

What Carthage families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Carthage → 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.