Mississippi

Mississippi operates a K-12 public education system serving 440,285 students across 152 school districts and 1,049 schools. The state employs 33,691 teachers, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 13:1. This decentralized district structure is typical for states of Mississippi's size and geography.

The student population reflects demographic patterns common to the Deep South. While specific demographic breakdowns were not provided in the available data, Mississippi's historical enrollment patterns show significant African American representation alongside white student populations. Socioeconomic factors influence many school communities, with a substantial proportion of students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunch programs.

Academic proficiency rates indicate areas of focus for the state. Math proficiency stands at 50.1%, while reading proficiency is 43.0%. These figures fall below national averages, which typically range from 50-55% in mathematics and similar ranges in reading literacy. The state's graduation rate of 88.0% aligns closely with national averages around 87-88%. Per-pupil spending of $12,810 remains below the national median of approximately $14,500 annually, reflecting Mississippi's position among lower-spending states.

No state-specific accountability system details or assessment notes were provided in the available data for the 2024-25 school year. However, Mississippi participates in the state assessment systems and accountability frameworks established under federal education policy. The data reflects the 2022-23 federal collection year and the 2024-25 state reporting year, indicating recent enrollment and demographic information alongside current academic performance metrics. These figures provide a baseline for understanding Mississippi's K-12 system's current configuration and performance indicators.