Photo: Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 3.0Tupelo’s public schools outscore 69% of Mississippi districts
57% of students in Tupelo’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Mississippi average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Tupelo, 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.
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.
Tupelo’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 126 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Tupelo’s, its schools beat 45%, lower than their 69% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 48% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 42% and 47% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,743 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then four elementary, one middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Tupelo Christian Preparatory School (private), Calvary Baptist Kindergarten & Preschool (private), Harrisburg Day School (private), First Umc Kid's Pad (private), Lakeview Baptist Academy (private), Tupelo Christian Academy (private) and Davids Army Learning Center (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 Tupelo’s grade
B+: better than 69% of Mississippi school districts, #47 of 101 Mississippi towns. Test scores are above the Mississippi average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Tupelo, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Tupelo
Early Childhood Education Center
Grades PK · 322 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Tupelo
Milam Elementary School
Grades 6 · 456 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Tupelo
Tupelo High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,123 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Tupelo
Tupelo High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,123 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Tupelo
Tupelo High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,123 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Tupelo
Tupelo High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,123 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Tupelo’s public schools are run by Tupelo Public School District. Parts of Tupelo (12% of its land) are served by Lee 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.
Well above the state in reading
Tupelo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Tupelo’s borders.
Every school in Tupelo
19 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: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Lee Co. Schools Improvement Center, Tupelo Lee Co Voc Tech School and Tupelo Alternative School).
Questions about Tupelo’s schools
Are Tupelo’s schools good?
By Mississippi’s own tests, yes: the public schools Tupelo children attend outscore 69% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #47 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 45%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Tupelo in?
Tupelo Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,192 students in 12 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Tupelo are served by Lee County.
Where do Tupelo kids go to high school?
Tupelo High School, with 2,123 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Tupelo’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Tupelo Public School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.
How much does Tupelo spend per student?
$12,743 in Tupelo Public School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Tupelo?
Yes: Tupelo Christian Preparatory School (religious, grades PK–12, 583 students), Calvary Baptist Kindergarten & Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 120 students), Harrisburg Day School (religious, grades PK–K, 117 students), First Umc Kid's Pad (religious, grades PK–K, 114 students), Lakeview Baptist Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 90 students), Tupelo Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 58 students) and Davids Army Learning Center (religious, grades PK–K, 20 students).
Parents talk
What Tupelo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Tupelo → 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.