United StatesMSMeridian Public Schools

Public school district or agency · Official NCES ID 2802910

Meridian Public Schools

Meridian, MS

Students4,499

Student membership reported by NCES for 2023–24.

Schools11

schools in the 2023–24 NCES record

Students4,499

students enrolled in 2023–24

Latest attendance year2022–23

latest nationwide attendance file

Latest finance record$14,308

current spending per student

What is available here?

Broad coverage

8 of 8 core data areas available

Every available section is tied to this district’s official NCES ID. The year shown is the year the data describes, not the date we added it.

Academic results2025Current releaseAttendance2022–23Current releaseSpending2022–23Current releaseEnrollment & staffing2023–24Current releaseStudent support2021–22Older federal releaseSafety & civil rights2021–22Older federal releaseCommunity context2023Current releasePrograms & opportunities2021–22Older federal release

Five things to know

The district at a glance

Open any question to see the supporting numbers, comparison and reporting year.

Explore outcomes by student group →

Student outcomes

How are students doing?

Four views answer different questions. State test percentages show grade-level expectations; the national research trend shows change over time; graduation and dropout measures describe high-school outcomes.

Nationally comparable trend · 2019–2025

Are results improving over time?

25thlatest estimated national standing
20192022202320242025

3 percentile points lower than 2019.

Annual dropout · 2023–24

How many high-school students left during the year?

2.7%of students enrolled in grades 9–12
District2.7%
MS1.1%
U.S.2.3%

Lower is better. This annual rate is not the opposite of the graduation rate because the measures use different students and time periods.

State proficiency standards differ and should not be used for cross-state rankings. Graduation ranges and privacy protections are preserved exactly. The academic trend uses Stanford Education Data Archive estimates and is not a state proficiency percentage.

Graduation · 2022–23

How many students graduated within four years?

Loading the district's official graduation record…

What has changed?

The district’s recent direction

Each card uses its own clearly labeled period. Measures from different sources are never blended.

Academic standing3 percentile points

Lower than the first comparable year.

2019–2025 · Stanford research estimate
Chronic absence2.1 points

Higher than the first year. More students were chronically absent.

2020–21–2022–23
Enrollment-5.4%

Student enrollment declined.

2021–22 to 2023–24 · NCES
Operating spending+13.3%

Spending per student increased before adjusting for inflation.

FY 2022 to FY 2023 · NCES F-33
Enrollment 2023–24Finance 2022–23Attendance 2022–23State tests 2024–25 where published

Enrollment · 2023–24

Who attends this district?

Pre-K143 students
3.2%
Kindergarten–grade 52,009 students
44.7%
Grades 6–8925 students
20.6%
Grades 9–121,281 students
28.5%
See enrollment for every grade
Pre-Kindergarten143
Kindergarten332
Grade 1360
Grade 2337
Grade 3365
Grade 4365
Grade 5250
Grade 6300
Grade 7358
Grade 8267
Grade 9325
Grade 10336
Grade 11346
Grade 12274

Students by race and ethnicity

Black or African American4,138 (92.0%)
White129 (2.9%)
Hispanic/Latino126 (2.8%)
Two or more races84 (1.9%)
Asian18 (0.4%)
American Indian or Alaska Native4 (0.1%)

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership file, 2023–24. Suppressed or missing cells are not estimated.

Early learning · 2023–24

How much public pre-K is reported?

143Students enrolled in pre-K
8Pre-K teachers, full-time equivalent
17.9:1Reported pre-K students per pre-K teacher

Pre-K students as a share of district enrollment

District3.2%
MS2.2%
United States2.9%

Final NCES Common Core of Data membership and staff files, 2023–24. Enrollment shows children attending district-run public pre-K. It does not show open seats, waitlists, private providers, program hours, eligibility or the cost to families.

Current staffing · 2023–24

How many staff members support students?

802All district staff, full-time equivalent
353.2Teachers, full-time equivalent
13.5School counselors, full-time equivalent
101.7Instructional aides, full-time equivalent
7Librarians and media specialists, full-time equivalent
27.1School administrators, full-time equivalent
38.4Student support staff, full-time equivalent
See detailed staffing
Pre-K teachers8 FTE
Kindergarten teachers17.7 FTE
Elementary teachers116.6 FTE
Secondary teachers171.2 FTE
Ungraded teachers39.8 FTE
Elementary school counselors5.7 FTE
Secondary school counselors7.8 FTE
Instructional coordinators4 FTE
District administrators11.9 FTE
District administrative support32.8 FTE
School administrative support67.4 FTE
Other support staff145.1 FTE

Final NCES Common Core of Data staff file, 2023–24. These are full-time-equivalent positions, not employee headcounts, vacancies or caseloads.

High-school outcomes · 2023–24

How many students completed school or dropped out?

268Total completers
262Regular diplomas
6Other state-recognized credentials
34Reported dropouts, grades 9–12

Regular diplomas among completers

District97.8%
MS98.3%
United States99.0%

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–12

District2.7%
MS1.1%
United States2.3%

Final NCES Common Core of Data completer and dropout files, 2023–24. The dropout rate divides the reported annual grades 9–12 dropout count by complete grades 9–12 enrollment. It is not a cohort graduation rate. The diploma share describes credentials among completers and should not be read as a graduation rate.

Teachers and staff

Teacher workforce

Loading the district’s workforce comparison…

Community context · 2024

How many school-age children live in poverty?

This Census estimate provides context about families in the district. It does not measure school quality or describe every student enrolled in the district.

5,844children ages 5 to 17
2,215estimated to live in families below the poverty line
37.9%about 1 in 3 school-age children
District37.9%
MS23.8%
United States14.4%

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. The estimate covers related children ages 5 to 17 in families in poverty and uses 2024–25 district boundaries.

District geography · 2024–25

What area does this district cover?

NCES publishes a geographic boundary for traditional school districts. Charter agencies and some special-purpose agencies may not have one.

Loading the official district boundary…

Source: NCES EDGE School District Boundaries, school year 2024–25.

Comparable districts

Districts serving a similar student population

These peers are matched using enrollment and available student population measures. Districts in MS receive geographic preference, but a closer national match may appear when it is more comparable. Open any profile for a full comparison.

District, state and country

How does this district compare?

State and national figures use the same measure and reporting period. They are weighted by students or staffing whenever the source provides a denominator.

MeasureDistrictMSUnited States
Academic standing2025Needs attention
25th percentile45th percentile45th percentile

This district is 20 percentile points lower than the state figure and 20 percentile points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students chronically absent2022–23Needs attention
37.4%26.6%27.2%

This district is 10.8 percentage points higher than the state figure and 10.2 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Revenue per studentFY 2023Context only
$15,617$14,505$19,748

This district is $1,112 per student higher than the state figure and $4,131 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Spending per studentFY 2023Context only
$14,308$12,098$15,908

This district is $2,210 per student higher than the state figure and $1,600 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Capital outlay per studentFY 2023Context only
$1,166$1,883$2,035

This district is $717 per student lower than the state figure and $869 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Equipment spending per studentFY 2023Context only
$218$555$342

This district is $337 per student lower than the state figure and $124 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Special-education spending per studentFY 2023Context only
$1,385$1,246$1,855

This district is $139 per student higher than the state figure and $470 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Salaries per studentFY 2023Context only
$8,376$6,905$8,849

This district is $1,471 per student higher than the state figure and $473 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Benefits per studentFY 2023Context only
$2,898$2,432$3,859

This district is $466 per student higher than the state figure and $961 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt outstanding per studentFY 2023Context only
$8,169$4,485$12,224

This district is $3,684 per student higher than the state figure and $4,055 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Debt retired per studentFY 2023Context only
$578$316$907

This district is $262 per student higher than the state figure and $329 per student lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per teacher2023–24Stronger than benchmarks
13:113:115:1

This district is about the same as the state figure and 2.0 students per teacher lower than the U.S. figure.

Students per counselor2023–24Stronger than benchmarks
334:1373:1373:1

This district is 39 students per counselor lower than the state figure and 39 students per counselor lower than the U.S. figure.

District staff per 1,000 students2023–24Stronger than benchmarks
178.3157.2138.8

This district is 21.1 staff per 1,000 students higher than the state figure and 39.5 staff per 1,000 students higher than the U.S. figure.

Instructional aides per 1,000 students2023–24Stronger than benchmarks
22.618.918.1

This district is 3.7 aides per 1,000 students higher than the state figure and 4.5 aides per 1,000 students higher than the U.S. figure.

Regular diplomas among completers2023–24Needs attention
97.8%98.3%99.0%

This district is 0.5 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Annual dropouts among students in grades 9–122023–24Needs attention
2.7%1.1%2.3%

This district is 1.6 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.4 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Pre-K students as a share of enrollment2023–24Context only
3.2%2.2%2.9%

This district is 1.0 percentage points higher than the state figure and 0.3 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Students learning English2021–22 · reporting schoolsContext only
1.6%4.5%11.8%

This district is 2.9 percentage points lower than the state figure and 10.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · reporting schoolsContext only
12.3%13.0%13.8%

This district is 0.7 percentage points lower than the state figure and 1.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · reporting schoolsContext only
0.1%1.6%4.0%

This district is 1.5 percentage points lower than the state figure and 3.9 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Teachers reported as certified2021–22 · reporting schoolsContext only
92.9%96.8%96.6%

This district is 3.9 percentage points lower than the state figure and 3.7 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Enrollment change2021–22 to 2023–24Context only
-5.4%-1.4%+0.2%

This district is 4.0 percentage points lower than the state figure and 5.6 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students eligible for free or reduced-price meals2021–22 · valid district recordsContext only
99.9%99.6%49.4%

This district is 0.3 percentage points higher than the state figure and 50.5 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students without disabilities2021–22 · matched enrollmentNeeds attention
18.2%8.9%4.6%

This district is 9.3 percentage points higher than the state figure and 13.6 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students receiving IDEA services2021–22 · matched enrollmentNeeds attention
19.5%14.1%9.4%

This district is 5.4 percentage points higher than the state figure and 10.1 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Out-of-school suspension rate · students with Section 504 plans2021–22 · matched enrollmentStronger than benchmarks
0.0%6.6%6.8%

This district is 6.6 percentage points lower than the state figure and 6.8 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

Students enrolled in district distance education2021–22 · matched enrollmentContext only
1.3%2.8%4.5%

This district is 1.5 percentage points lower than the state figure and 3.2 percentage points lower than the U.S. figure.

School-age children in poverty2024 Census estimateNeeds attention
37.9%23.8%14.4%

This district is 14.1 percentage points higher than the state figure and 23.5 percentage points higher than the U.S. figure.

Learning support · 2021–22 federal snapshot

How many students may need specialized support?

Counts and shares use only schools with a usable value for that measure. The reporting-school denominator prevents missing schools from being counted as zero.

1.6%Students learning English68 students · 9 of 11 schools reported both this measure and enrollment
District1.6%
MS4.5%
U.S.11.8%
12.3%Students receiving IDEA special-education services584 students · 11 of 11 schools reported both this measure and enrollment
District12.3%
MS13.0%
U.S.13.8%
0.1%Students with Section 504 plans1 students · 1 of 11 schools reported both this measure and enrollment
District0.1%
MS1.6%
U.S.4.0%
0.0%English learners also receiving IDEA services2 students · 11 of 11 schools reported both this measure and enrollment
District0.0%
MS0.4%
U.S.1.7%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Public-use counts are privacy-protected. These figures describe the reporting year, not current enrollment, diagnoses, service quality or unmet need.

Teacher quality and early learning · 2021–22

What did the district report about teachers and preschool?

92.9%Teachers reported as certified
192Children ages 3–5 in district preschool

Teacher certification comparison

District92.9%
MS96.8%
United States96.6%

U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, 2021–22. Certification status is district-reported and may not match current staffing. Preschool counts cover the federal reporting year and are not a measure of available seats.

District makeup

What kinds of schools are in the district?

6Elementary schools
3Middle schools
1Other schools
2High schools
1Rural setting
11Town setting
1Alternative schools

School levels, settings and types use the NCES 2021–22 directory matched to the federal civil-rights collection.

District finances

How is the district funded, and how does it spend?

Sources of funds

Where the money comes from

Share of district revenue supplied by each level of government.

29.1%Federal
38.8%State
32.1%Local
Uses of funds

Where the money goes

Annual spending for each enrolled student.

$14,308Total current spending per student
$7,532Instruction per student
$5,823Support services per student
Revenue by source: percentages and dollars
$20.9MFederal revenue29.1% of total revenue
$28MState revenue38.8% of total revenue
$23.1MLocal revenue32.1% of total revenue
How operating money was used
$7,532Instructionper student
$5,823Student and instructional supportper student
$1,385Special educationper student
$1,497Building operations and maintenanceper student
$455Student transportationper student
$885Food servicesper student
$109Technologyper student
People costs
$38.6MSalaries$8,376 per student
$13.4MEmployee benefits$2,898 per student
Equipment, buildings and debt
$1MEquipmentFY 2023
$5.4MCapital outlay$1,166 per student
$4.4MConstructionincluded in capital outlay
$37.7MDebt outstanding at year end$8,169 per student
$34.7MNew debt issuedFY 2023
$2.7MDebt principal retiredFY 2023
$750KInterest paid on debtFY 2023
Selected federal program revenue
$5.2MTitle I$1,128 per student
$1.6MIDEA special education$347 per student
$148KCareer and technical education$32 per student
$3.9MChild nutrition$852 per student
What changed since FY 2022
Operating spending per student
FY 2022$12,633
FY 2023$14,308+13.3% year over year
Capital spending per student
FY 2022$327
FY 2023$1,166+256.6% year over year
Debt outstanding per student
FY 2022$1,196
FY 2023$8,169+583.0% year over year

Revenue shares and spending categories answer different questions and should not be added together. Source: NCES F-33 district finance, FY 2023.

Attendance

How has chronic absence changed?

2020–2135.3%

1,706 of 4,832 students

2021–2243.2%

1,976 of 4,572 students

2022–2337.4%

1,664 of 4,445 students

Specialized support and security · 2021–22

What specialized roles were reported?

10Sworn law-enforcement officer FTE11 reporting schools
10Security staff FTE11 reporting schools

Staffing is reported as full-time equivalents in the 2021–22 CRDC collection.

Learning opportunities

What do district schools offer?

Algebra I2 reporting schools
50%
Calculus2 reporting schools
0%
Biology2 reporting schools
100%
Chemistry2 reporting schools
50%
Physics2 reporting schools
100%
Computer science2 reporting schools
100%
Advanced Placement2 reporting schools
50%
Dual enrollment2 reporting schools
50%
Gifted programs11 reporting schools
82%
International Baccalaureate2 reporting schools
0%
Athletics2 reporting schools
50%

Shares use only schools for which the program was applicable and reported. A districtwide percentage does not guarantee availability at every grade or campus. Source: 2021–22 CRDC.

Safety and discipline

What was reported across district schools?

Counts are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Open a measure to see the schools behind the district total.

Technology and safety · 2021–22

What access and incident data is available?

Technology and incident figures are from the 2021–22 CRDC collection. Device counts describe the reporting year, not current inventory.

Data status

8 of 8 national data layers are matched to this NCES district ID. Identity and school counts use NCES records. Academic estimates use SEDA, attendance uses EDFacts, finance uses NCES F-33, staffing and enrollment use 2023–24 NCES CCD where available, teacher certification, preschool and policy fields use the 2021–22 CRDC, and community poverty context uses Census SAIPE. Four-year graduation rates use 2022–23 EDFacts. Every detailed view preserves its reporting year.

See all sources →

Keep exploring

Put this district in context

Compare the same measures across the state, explore a parent question, or read a practical guide.