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C−
Schools in Cleveland · Cleveland School District

Cleveland’s public schools score below 78% of Mississippi districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 28% of Cleveland’s students scored proficient, below the Mississippi average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Cleveland, 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.

#90of 101 Mississippi townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Mississippi state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
28%
▼ 19 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 5–9 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.7K
▲ 19% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.4
MS 13.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
2,162 students on the public path
In brief

Cleveland’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 162 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Cleveland’s, its schools beat 13%, lower than their 22% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 42% and 47% statewide; 98% 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 Cleveland’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,697 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Cleveland Central Middle School, then Cleveland Central High School. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Presbyterian Day School (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 Cleveland’s grade

C Test scoresD Graduation

C−: better than 22% of Mississippi school districts, #90 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 22%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (162)Better than 13%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,560 test results and a graduating class of 186 could put Cleveland anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Cleveland’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,547 in math, 1,573 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–62 schoolsDepends on your addressC
7–8Cleveland Central Middle SchoolCleveland School DistrictC
9–12Cleveland Central High SchoolCleveland School DistrictC

Cleveland’s public schools are run by Cleveland School District, which also serves Boyle, Merigold and Renova. 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.

Cleveland School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 2,793 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 16.4 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$14,697MS $12,392 · FY2024
C−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading30%
State average 41.7% · 1573 students tested
Math28%
State average 47% · 1547 students tested

Cleveland vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ClevelandC−Cleveland

Every school in Cleveland

7 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 Clevelandby address
Parks Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
C
265 students16:1Rate it →
Nailor Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
256 students19:1Rate it →
Pearman Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 1–6
C−
186 students16:1Rate it →
D.M. Smith Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–6
D
233 students13:1Rate it →
Cleveland Central Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8
C
423 students17:1Rate it →
Cleveland Central High School
High · Grades 9–12
C
799 students18:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Presbyterian Day School
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Religious
237 students18:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Cleveland Voc Tech Complex and Alternative School).

Questions about Cleveland’s schools

Are Cleveland’s schools good?

On Mississippi’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Cleveland children attend score below 78% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #90 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 13%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Cleveland in?

Cleveland School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,793 students in 8 schools (2024–25).

Where do Cleveland kids go to high school?

Cleveland Central High School, with 799 students; its own test results earn a C.

What is Cleveland’s graduation rate?

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

How much does Cleveland spend per student?

$14,697 in Cleveland School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Cleveland?

Yes: Presbyterian Day School (religious, grades PK–6, 237 students).

Parents talk

What Cleveland families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Cleveland → 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.