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IndianolaPostOfficeMSPhoto: Jimmy Emerson from Dalton GA · CC BY 2.0
C+
Schools in Indianola · Sunflower County Consolidated School District

Indianola’s public schools score below 64% of Mississippi districts on tests and graduation

On the state reading tests, 25% of Indianola’s students scored proficient, below the Mississippi average (42%). The grade covers the public school district serving Indianola, 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.

#80of 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
25%
▼ 17 pts vs MS 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
31%
▼ 16 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
89%
▼ 0 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.1K
▲ 14% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.4
MS 13.9
Schools in town
5
1,449 students on the public path
In brief

Indianola’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 25% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 42% and 47% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,099 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 7 the district’s path is Robert L Merritt Junior High, then Gentry High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Restoration Ministries 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 Indianola’s grade

C Test scoresB− Graduation

C+: better than 36% of Mississippi school districts, #80 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 36%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (154)Better than 32%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,564 test results and a graduating class of 237 could put Indianola anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Indianola’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,566 in math, 1,561 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–3Lockard Elementary SchoolSunflower County Consolidated School DistrictC
7–9Robert L Merritt Junior HighSunflower County Consolidated School DistrictC−
10–12Gentry High SchoolSunflower County Consolidated School DistrictD

Indianola’s public schools are run by Sunflower County Consolidated School District, which also serves Doddsville, Drew, Inverness and Moorhead and others. 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.

Sunflower County Consolidated School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 2,807 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 13.4 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$14,099MS $12,392 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading25%
State average 41.7% · 1561 students tested
Math31%
State average 47% · 1566 students tested

Indianola vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IndianolaC+Sunflower County Consolidated

Every school in Indianola

5 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 Indianolaby address
Lockard Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–3
C
393 students17:1Rate it →
Carver Elementary
Middle · Grades 4–6
C−
250 students13:1Rate it →
Robert L Merritt Junior High
Middle · Grades 7–9
C−
341 students13:1Rate it →
Gentry High School
High · Grades 10–12
D
465 students13:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Restoration Ministries Christian Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
78 students8:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Indianola Academic Achievement and Indianola Career & Tech Center).

Questions about Indianola’s schools

Are Indianola’s schools good?

On Mississippi’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Indianola children attend score below 64% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #80 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 32%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Indianola in?

Sunflower County Consolidated School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,807 students in 11 schools (2024–25).

Where do Indianola kids go to high school?

Gentry High School, with 465 students; its own test results earn a D.

What is Indianola’s graduation rate?

89% of the class of 2023 in Sunflower County Consolidated School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.

How much does Indianola spend per student?

$14,099 in Sunflower County Consolidated School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Indianola?

Yes: Restoration Ministries Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 78 students).

Parents talk

What Indianola families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Indianola → 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.