For the 2025 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 9,667 students in Meridian, MS (there are , serving 1,572 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Meridian, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Meridian, MS are Clarkdale Elementary School, Clarkdale High School and West Lauderdale Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Meridian, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Meridian have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public school average of 58% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Meridian, MS (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Clarkdale Elementary School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7000 Highway 145
Meridian, MS 39031
(601) 693-4463
Meridian, MS 39031
(601) 693-4463
Gr: PK-6 | 542 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #22.
Clarkdale High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7000 Highway 145
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-4463
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-4463
Gr: 7-12 | 410 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
West Lauderdale Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10350 Highway 495
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 737-2279
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 737-2279
Gr: PK-4 | 725 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #44.
Southeast Lauderdale High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2362 Longcreek Raod
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 483-5501
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 483-5501
Gr: 9-12 | 376 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Southeast Lauderdale Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2362 A Long Creek Road
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 486-2500
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 486-2500
Gr: PK-4 | 564 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
Northeast Lauderdale High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
702 Briarwood Road
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 679-8523
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 679-8523
Gr: 9-12 | 610 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #77.
Southeast Lauderdale Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2535 Old Highway 19 S.e.
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 485-5751
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 485-5751
Gr: 5-8 | 372 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Northeast Lauderdale Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6750 Newell Road
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 485-4882
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 485-4882
Gr: PK-4 | 746 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #99.
Northeast Lauderdale Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7763 Highway 39 North
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 483-3532
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 483-3532
Gr: 5-8 | 539 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1010.
Poplar Springs Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4101 27th Avenue
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4455
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4455
Gr: K-5 | 382 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1111.
Meridian High School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2320 32nd Street
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 482-3191
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 482-3191
Gr: 9-12 | 1,314 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1212.
West Hills Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4100 32nd Street
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4474
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4474
Gr: K-5 | 428 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Crestwood Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
730 Crestwood Dr.
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 482-0395
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 482-0395
Gr: K-5 | 352 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
Magnolia Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1350 24th Street
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4064
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-4064
Gr: 6-8 | 443 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
Parkview Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1225 26th Street
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-3616
Meridian, MS 39305
(601) 484-3616
Gr: K-5 | 379 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Northwest Junior High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4400 32nd Street
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4099
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4099
Gr: 6-8 | 518 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
George Washington Carver Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 17% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
900 44th Avenue
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4484
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4484
Gr: 6-8 | 284 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
900 44th Ave
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4482
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4482
Gr: K-5 | 532 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: n/an/a
Lcsd Cte Center
Vocational School
412 Highway 11 & 80
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-1683
Meridian, MS 39301
(601) 693-1683
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Marion Park Complex
Alternative School
2815 25th St.
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 484-5166
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 484-5166
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
3930 14th St
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4463
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4463
Gr: PK | 151 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Ross Collins Voc Center
Vocational School
2640 24th Ave
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 483-3331
Meridian, MS 39302
(601) 483-3331
Gr: 9-12
Meridian, Mississippi Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Lauderdale County Educational & Skills (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
915 Hwy 19 North
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 581-3518
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 581-3518
Gr: K-12
1401 College Drive
Meridian, MS 39304
(601) 581-8087
Meridian, MS 39304
(601) 581-8087
Gr: 6-11 | 10 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
601 59th Ave
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 482-3541
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 482-3541
Gr: PK-5 | 328 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
3951 12th Street
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 482-1683
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 482-1683
Gr: PK-5 | 434 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
3930 14th Street
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4463
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 484-4463
Gr: PK-3 | 457 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Meridian, MS?
The top ranked public schools in Meridian, MS include Clarkdale Elementary School, Clarkdale High School and West Lauderdale Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Meridian?
22 public schools are located in Meridian.
What percentage of students in Meridian go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Meridian are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Meridian?
Meridian public schools minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Mississippi public schools average of 58% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Meridian are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Meridian include: Northwest Junior High School vs. Magnolia Middle School, Magnolia Middle School vs. Northwest Junior High School, Clarkdale Elementary School vs. West Lauderdale Elementary School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
