Photo: Dudemanfellabra · CC BY-SA 3.0Meridian’s public schools outscore 55% of Mississippi districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Meridian, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 38% of students in Meridian’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Mississippi average (47%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Mississippi, not nationally.
From Mississippi state tests taken in spring 2022, when 99% 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.
Meridian’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 126 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Meridian’s, its schools beat 77%, higher than their 55% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 38% in math, against 42% and 47% statewide; 99% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Meridian Public spends $14,452 per student and Lauderdale County $11,068, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Lamar School (private), St. Patrick Elementary School (private), The Pentecostal Christian Academy (private) and Community Christian School (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.
What’s behind Meridian’s grade
B: better than 55% of Mississippi school districts, #59 of 101 Mississippi towns. Graduation is above the Mississippi average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Meridian, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Meridian · depends on your address
Northeast Elementary School
Grades PK–4 · 730 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Carver Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 506 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Meridian PreK Academy
Grades PK · 142 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Meridian · depends on your address
Northeast Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 520 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Northwest Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Magnolia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 440 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Meridian · depends on your address
Northeast Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 520 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Northwest Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Magnolia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 440 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Meridian · depends on your address
Northeast Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 520 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Northwest Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 484 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Magnolia Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 440 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Meridian · depends on your address
Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,253 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Northeast High School
Grades 9–12 · 608 students · 12:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Meridian · depends on your address
Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,253 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Northeast High School
Grades 9–12 · 608 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Meridian · depends on your address
Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,253 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Northeast High School
Grades 9–12 · 608 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Meridian · depends on your address
Meridian High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,253 students · 11:1 students per teacher
Northeast High School
Grades 9–12 · 608 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Meridian runs its own schools through grade 12 (Meridian Public School District). From grade PK, students attend the Lauderdale County School District, shared with Marion. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Meridian
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Meridian vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Meridian’s borders.
Every school in Meridian
16 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Marion Park Complex and Ross Collins Voc Center).
Questions about Meridian’s schools
Are Meridian’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Mississippi: the public schools Meridian children attend outscore 55% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #59 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Meridian in?
Two districts: Meridian Public School District runs grades PK–12, and Lauderdale County School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Marion.
Where do Meridian kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Meridian High School and Northeast High School.
What is Meridian’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Lauderdale County School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.
How much does Meridian spend per student?
$14,452 in Meridian Public School District and $11,068 in Lauderdale County School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Meridian?
Yes: Lamar School (religious, grades PK–8, 342 students), St. Patrick Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 112 students), The Pentecostal Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 76 students) and Community Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 29 students).
Parents talk
What Meridian families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Meridian → 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.