Is West Lowndes High School a good school?

West Lowndes High School ranks in the bottom 21.1% of Mississippi high schools.

How many students attend West Lowndes High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 216 students attended West Lowndes High School.

What is the racial makeup of West Lowndes High School?

Students at West Lowndes High School are 96% African American, 4% White.

West Lowndes High School

Summary:

West Lowndes High School is a public high school in Columbus, Mississippi, serving grades 7-12 with a student population of 246. The school is part of the Lowndes County School District, which is ranked 46 out of 130 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating.

West Lowndes High School stands out for several key reasons. Over 96% of the student population is African American, significantly higher than the surrounding schools. The school consistently underperforms the district and state in standardized test scores, with proficiency rates in core subjects well below average. As a result, West Lowndes High School has a low statewide ranking, placing 180 out of 228 high schools in Mississippi with a 1-star rating. Additionally, the school has an extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic disadvantage among the student body. Interestingly, West Lowndes High School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio compared to nearby schools, such as Caledonia High School and New Hope High School, which demonstrate significantly higher academic performance and statewide rankings.

The analysis of West Lowndes High School reveals a school facing persistent academic challenges, with a student population that is predominantly African American and economically disadvantaged. The school's low statewide ranking and underperformance compared to the district and state suggest that it may be struggling to provide a high-quality education to its students. Further investigation into the root causes of these issues and targeted interventions may be necessary to address the disparities observed at West Lowndes High School.

Detail:

Public 7-12

644 South Frontage Road
Columbus, MS 39701

(662) 244-5070

District: Lowndes County School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
180^th of 228 Mississippi High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $17,024

Student/teacher ratio: 7.8

Number of students: 216

Racial breakdown:

African American:

96.3%

White:

3.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated Mississippi high schools

Compare West Lowndes High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details West Lowndes High School ranks worse than 72.7% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 26.98. (See more...)

Compare Details West Lowndes High School ranks worse than 78.9% of high schools in Mississippi. It also ranks last among 3 ranked high schools in the Lowndes County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.52. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at West Lowndes High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (96.3%), White (3.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Lowndes County School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at West Lowndes High School is 7.8, which is the lowest among 4 high schools in the Lowndes County School District! (See more...)

Compare West Lowndes High School employs 27.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at West Lowndes High School is $17,024, which is the highest among 4 high schools in the Lowndes County School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

West Lowndes High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks West Lowndes High School 192^nd of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See West Lowndes High School in the ranking list.)

SchoolDigger ranks West Lowndes High School 180^th of 228 Mississippi public high schools. (See West Lowndes High School in the ranking list.)

Lowndes County School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Lowndes County School District 46^th of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Your rating for West Lowndes High School?

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Rank History for West Lowndes High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2015	34.03	171^st	266	35.7%
2016	26.44	187^th	260	28.1%
2017	30.49	185^th	272	32.0%
2018	35.12	167^th	252	33.7%
2019	23.29	203^rd	264	23.1%
2021	18.82	201^st	257	21.8%
2022	25.03	187^th	257	27.2%
2023	20.48	196^th	243	19.3%
2024	26.98	192^nd	264	27.3%

See the entire list of Mississippi High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for West Lowndes High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	MS State Percentile
2004	40.85	166^th	232	28.4%
2005	67.93	63^rd	232	72.8%
2006	47.41	137^th	232	40.9%
2007	20.51	203^rd	232	12.5%
2008	24.24	188^th	235	20.0%
2009	25.99	183^rd	235	22.1%
2010	31.50	173^rd	235	26.4%
2011	8.06	236^th	244	3.3%
2012	13.06	219^th	241	9.1%
2013	30.65	170^th	238	28.6%
2014	24.73	196^th	236	16.9%
2015	9.47	222^nd	226	1.8%
2016	9.05	222^nd	231	3.9%
2017	25.83	172^nd	237	27.4%
2018	50.62	117^th	233	49.8%
2019	36.23	150^th	233	35.6%
2021	21.32	178^th	231	22.9%
2022	28.43	166^th	228	27.2%
2023	10.32	209^th	226	7.5%
2024	22.52	180^th	228	21.1%

See the entire list of Mississippi High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

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Enrollment information for West Lowndes High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Hispanic	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1990	6	253	0	n/a	n/a	259
1991	8	252	0	n/a	n/a	260
1992	10	259	0	n/a	n/a	269
1993	4	249	0	n/a	n/a	253
1994	7	235	0	n/a	n/a	242
1995	4	242	0	n/a	n/a	246
1996	4	242	0	n/a	n/a	246
1997	4	245	0	n/a	n/a	249
1998	0	264	0	n/a	n/a	264
1999	0	248	0	n/a	n/a	248
2000	1	210	0	n/a	n/a	211
2001	2	203	0	n/a	n/a	205
2002	2	196	0	n/a	n/a	198
2003	2	196	0	n/a	n/a	198
2004	1	195	0	n/a	n/a	196
2005	0	183	0	n/a	n/a	183
2006	0	191	0	n/a	n/a	191
2007	0	209	0	n/a	n/a	209
2008	1	210	0	n/a	n/a	211
2009	3	214	1	0	0	218
2010	5	219	1	0	0	225
2011	4	187	1	0	0	192
2012	3	182	0	0	0	185
2013	0	179	0	0	0	179
2014	3	165	0	0	0	168
2015	2	219	0	0	0	221
2016	3	222	0	0	0	225
2017	0	206	1	0	2	209
2018	0	220	1	0	2	223
2019	2	216	1	0	2	221
2020	0	228	0	0	2	230
2021	2	260	0	0	2	264
2022	0	242	0	0	1	243
2023	7	238	0	0	1	246
2024	8	208	0	0	0	216

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Lowndes High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	259	15.8	16.3	n/a
1991	260	13.6	19.1	n/a
1992	269	14.9	18.0	39
1993	253	15.1	16.8	39.9
1994	242	14.6	16.6	38.4
1995	246	15.2	16.2	40.2
1996	246	15.2	16.2	40.2
1997	249	16.1	15.5	39
1998	264	16.7	15.8	41.7
1999	248	18.5	13.4	47.6
2000	211	18.1	11.7	49.8
2001	205	19.6	10.5	50.7
2002	198	19.4	10.2	49.5
2003	198	19.4	10.2	49.5
2004	196	18.0	10.9	81.6
2005	183	17.9	10.2	88
2006	191	17.3	11.0	79.1
2007	209	19.0	11.0	98.6
2008	211	19.0	11.1	98.6
2009	218	19.6	11.1	98.6
2010	225	19.9	11.2	77.3
2011	192	19.8	9.6	81.8
2012	185	18.7	9.8	80.5
2013	179	20.8	8.5	82.1
2014	168	22.5	7.4	82.7
2015	221	27.0	8.1	98.6
2016	225	27.0	8.3	98.7
2017	209	23.9	8.7	98.6
2018	223	24.3	9.1	98.7
2019	221	29.1	7.5	91
2020	230	24.5	9.3	98.7
2021	264	25.7	10.2	98.9
2022	243	26.9	9.0	98.8
2023	246	28.1	8.7	100
2024	216	27.4	7.8	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio West Lowndes High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	259	15.8	16.3	n/a
1991	260	13.6	19.1	n/a
1992	269	14.9	18.0	39
1993	253	15.1	16.8	39.9
1994	242	14.6	16.6	38.4
1995	246	15.2	16.2	40.2
1996	246	15.2	16.2	40.2
1997	249	16.1	15.5	39
1998	264	16.7	15.8	41.7
1999	248	18.5	13.4	47.6
2000	211	18.1	11.7	49.8
2001	205	19.6	10.5	50.7
2002	198	19.4	10.2	49.5
2003	198	19.4	10.2	49.5
2004	196	18.0	10.9	81.6
2005	183	17.9	10.2	88
2006	191	17.3	11.0	79.1
2007	209	19.0	11.0	98.6
2008	211	19.0	11.1	98.6
2009	218	19.6	11.1	98.6
2010	225	19.9	11.2	77.3
2011	192	19.8	9.6	81.8
2012	185	18.7	9.8	80.5
2013	179	20.8	8.5	82.1
2014	168	22.5	7.4	82.7
2015	221	27.0	8.1	98.6
2016	225	27.0	8.3	98.7
2017	209	23.9	8.7	98.6
2018	223	24.3	9.1	98.7
2019	221	29.1	7.5	91
2020	230	24.5	9.3	98.7
2021	264	25.7	10.2	98.9
2022	243	26.9	9.0	98.8
2023	246	28.1	8.7	100
2024	216	27.4	7.8	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Lowndes High School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$14,827
2018	$16,185
2019	$14,421
2020	$16,425
2021	$16,552
2022	$17,024

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on West Lowndes High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 203^rd of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 196^th of 243 Middle schools	3.8%
Ranks 150^th of 233 High schools	Ranks 209^th of 226 High schools	28.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (West Lowndes High School)	16.2	11.7	4.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lowndes County School District)	52.4	49.3	3.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (West Lowndes High School)	43.2	32.3	10.9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lowndes County School District)	57.4	65.1	7.7%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (West Lowndes High School)	17.7	26.4	8.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lowndes County School District)	44.3	50.3	6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	35.5	40.5	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (West Lowndes High School)	35.3	44.1	8.8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lowndes County School District)	55.7	60.1	4.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	44.8	46.1	1.3%
8th Grade Science (West Lowndes High School)	24	14.7	9.3%
8th Grade Science (Lowndes County School District)	55.8	56.7	0.9%
8th Grade Science (Mississippi)	52.7	53.3	0.6%
End of Course Algebra I (West Lowndes High School)	48.7	46.3	2.4%
End of Course Algebra I (Lowndes County School District)	53.2	76.1	22.9%
End of Course Algebra I (Mississippi)	49.3	65.8	16.5%
End of Course English II (West Lowndes High School)	20.5	32.4	11.9%
End of Course English II (Lowndes County School District)	50.5	54.3	3.8%
End of Course English II (Mississippi)	43.9	50.1	6.2%
End of Course Biology (West Lowndes High School)	54.6	21.5	33.1%
End of Course Biology (Lowndes County School District)	61.9	69.6	7.7%
End of Course Biology (Mississippi)	57.2	60.9	3.7%
End of Course U.S. History1 (West Lowndes High School)	44.4	38.2	6.2%
End of Course U.S. History1 (Lowndes County School District)	60	66.8	6.8%
End of Course U.S. History1 (Mississippi)	55.5	71.4	15.9%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	221	246	11.3%
African American	216	238	10.2%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	1	0	100%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	2	7	250%
Two or More Races	2	1	50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	91%	100%	9%

Schools Near West Lowndes High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MAAP English Language Arts (2024)		MAAP Mathematics (2024)		MAAP Algebra I (2024)	MAAP English II (2024)	MAAP Science (2024)	MAAP Biology (2024)	MAAP U.S. History1 (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Algebra I End of Course	MAAP English II End of Course	MAAP Science 8th Grade	MAAP Biology End of Course	MAAP U.S. History1 End of Course	Total
West Lowndes High School	Public	7-12	644 South Frontage Road	Columbus	39701	Lowndes County	Lowndes County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 244-5070	216	27	7.8	100.0%	8 (3.7%)	208 (96.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22.5	180^th of 228 public high schools	21.1%		10.3	209^th of 226 public high schools	7.5%	29	24.0	17.2	44.0	48.2	78.6	10.6	48.2	40.7	55.6	$17,024
Mississippi School For Math And Science	Public, Magnet	11-12	5th Ave South and MSCW Dr	Columbus	39701	Lowndes County	Mississippi School For Math And Science	No	Yes	No	No	(662) 329-7672	241	22	11.1	4.6%	125 (51.9%)	43 (17.8%)	10 (4.1%)	45 (18.7%)	4 (1.7%)	1 (0.4%)	13 (5.4%)	97.8	1^st of 228 public high schools	99.6%		97	1^st of 226 public high schools	99.6%							100.0			99.1
McKellar Vocational Center	Public	9-12	810 N Browder Street	Columbus	39702	Lowndes County	Columbus Municipal School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 241-7290	0	10	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Columbus High School	Public	9-12	215 Hemlock Street	Columbus	39702	Lowndes County	Columbus Municipal School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 241-7200	937	59	15.8	100.0%	25 (2.7%)	886 (94.6%)	16 (1.7%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.5%)	11.5	206^th of 228 public high schools	9.6%		9.8	210^th of 226 public high schools	7.1%	4					29.1	18.2		42.1	57.0	$14,624
Lowndes County Vocational Complex	Public	9-12	1085 Lehmberg Road	Columbus	39702	Lowndes County	Lowndes County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 244-5038	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
New Hope High School	Public	9-12	2920 New Hope Road	Columbus	39702	Lowndes County	Lowndes County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 244-4701	818	53	15.4	61.2%	386 (47.2%)	401 (49.0%)	12 (1.5%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	14 (1.7%)	48.4	128^th of 228 public high schools	43.9%		54.8	106^th of 226 public high schools	53.1%	22					68.8	46.7		60.4	61.1	$10,850
West Point Vocational Comp	Public	9-12	3413 East Church Hill Road	West Point	39773	Clay County	West Point Consolidated School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 494-6176	0	7	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
West Point High School	Public	8-12	90 S. Eshman Avenue	West Point	39773	Clay County	West Point Consolidated School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 494-5083	1,038	72	14.3	100.0%	155 (14.9%)	852 (82.1%)	14 (1.3%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	13 (1.3%)	31.9	158^th of 228 public high schools	30.7%		25.5	172^nd of 226 public high schools	23.9%	14		32.1		43.8	64.5	21.7	47.8	49.7	66.5	$13,330
The Learning Center Alternative	Public	5-12	2926 Sisteenth Section Road	Starkville	39759	Oktibbeha County	Starkville- Oktibbeha Cons District	No	No	No	No	(662) 323-1462	0	10	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Caledonia High School	Public	9-12	111 Confederate Drive	Caledonia	39740	Lowndes County	Lowndes County School District	No	No	No	No	(662) 356-2001	641	44	14.5	42.7%	470 (73.3%)	117 (18.3%)	30 (4.7%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.1%)	82.7	24^th of 228 public high schools	89.5%		80	33^rd of 226 public high schools	85.4%	9					76.2	66.2		76.5	84.5	$11,448

West Lowndes High School

Lowndes County School District:

What do you think?

Rank History for West Lowndes High School

Rank History for West Lowndes High School

Enrollment information for West Lowndes High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at West Lowndes High School

Student/Teacher Ratio West Lowndes High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for West Lowndes High School

Impact of COVID-19 on West Lowndes High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near West Lowndes High School