LAMAR COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Lamar County School District serves 10,276 students across 18 schools in rural Mississippi, with a modest enrollment decline of 0.5% from the prior year. The district operates 8 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools supported by 806 teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1.

Academically, Lamar County exceeds state performance benchmarks across measured indicators. Math proficiency reaches 62.9% compared to the state average of 50.1%, while reading proficiency stands at 57.8% versus 43.0% statewide. The district's graduation rate of 91.2% surpasses the state average of 88.0%. However, chronic absenteeism at 24.6% represents a notable operational challenge.

Demographically, 55.2% of students qualify as economically disadvantaged, indicating significant socioeconomic need within the student population. The district operates with a total budget of $105.3 million and per-pupil spending of $10,246, which is approximately $2,564 below the state average of $12,810. Revenue distribution reflects typical patterns for Mississippi districts: 36.1% from local sources, 49.1% from state funding, and 14.8% from federal sources.

The district demonstrates academic performance that outpaces state averages despite per-pupil spending below the state mean, though chronic absenteeism levels warrant attention to attendance improvement strategies.