Serving 281 students in grades 7-8, W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Mississippi for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 14% (which is lower than the Mississippi state average of 47%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 16% (which is lower than the Mississippi state average of 42%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is higher than the Mississippi state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 99% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Mississippi state average of 58% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 7-8
- Enrollment: 281 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 99%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in MS
- Math Proficiency: 14% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 16% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MS Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Mississippi for:
Category
Attribute
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy's student population of 281 students has declined by 20% over five school years.
The teacher population of 20 teachers has declined by 57% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 7-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
281 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
20 teachers
School Rankings
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy ranks within the bottom 50% of all 805 schools in Mississippi (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy is 0.04, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#768 out of 805 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
14%
47%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
16%
42%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
15-19%
55%
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
13:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
n/a
1%
Hispanic
1%
5%
Black
98%
47%
White
1%
42%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
68%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (13-14)
3%
7%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MS Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy's ranking?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy is ranked #768 out of 805 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Mississippi.
What schools are W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy often compared to?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Coahoma County Jr/sr High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
14% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 47% MS state average), while 16% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 42% MS state average).
How many students attend W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy?
281 students attend W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
98% of W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy students are Black, 1% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are White.
What is the student:teacher ratio of W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy has a student ration of 14:1, which is higher than the Mississippi state average of 13:1.
What grades does W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy offer ?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy offers enrollment in grades 7-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy part of?
W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy is part of Clarksdale Municipal School District.
School Reviews
Review W.a. Higgins Middle School Academy. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
