West Tallahatchie School District, MS

Original Research by School Decision on West Tallahatchie School District

West Tallahatchie School District serves a rural stretch of the Mississippi Delta, drawing students from several small communities across Tallahatchie County, including Drew, Tutwiler, Charleston, and Minter City. These are quiet, agricultural towns where housing costs run far below what most of the state or country sees. Home values in the area have been declining, and the district sits within a broader economic context where affordability, rather than appreciation, defines the housing market. For a family considering a move here, real estate would be inexpensive to acquire, but the area shows limited economic momentum.

The district operates three schools: R H Bearden Elementary, West Tallahatchie High School, and North Delta Alternative School. Enrollment is small for a district spanning kindergarten through twelfth grade. The student body is almost entirely Black, reflecting the deep demographic character of this part of the Delta. Information on free or reduced-price lunch eligibility was not available, nor were figures for special education or English learner populations, so the picture of student need is incomplete from the data provided.

On state assessments through the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program, the district's results are mixed and vary widely by grade and subject. In mathematics, one middle grade stands out as a clear bright spot, with a strong majority of tested students reaching proficiency. Another elementary grade showed moderate proficiency. Several other grades, particularly in the upper elementary and middle school bands, posted low proficiency rates, with the lowest appearing in third grade and again in seventh and eighth grade. The pattern suggests some classrooms are finding traction while others struggle to move students to grade-level mastery.

English language arts results follow a similar arc but are generally weaker. Proficiency rates across the tested grades sit in a low range, and eighth grade was particularly low. Science, tested in fifth and eighth grades, showed moderate proficiency in the earlier grade and low proficiency in the later one. Participation rates for state assessments were not reported, so it is hard to know whether the proficiency figures reflect the full enrolled population or a subset. A parent may want to ask the district about participation and how closely the tested group matches enrollment.

Several categories of information that would help round out this picture were absent. No graduation rate was provided, which is unusual for a district serving high school grades, and a parent looking at college or postsecondary readiness would need to seek that directly from the district. No data on advanced coursework, career and technical programs, or dual-credit opportunities appeared in the material provided. Staffing figures, class sizes, discipline data, attendance patterns, and Title I status were also missing. The district brief turned up no publicly reported parent-relevant changes, such as leadership transitions, facility projects, or curriculum initiatives, in recent months.

What the data does show is a small, close-knit Delta district serving a nearly homogeneous student population in communities where housing is very affordable but economic headwinds are visible. Academic performance has genuine high points, particularly in one sixth-grade math cohort, but the broader pattern leans toward low proficiency, especially in literacy at the upper grades. Families considering this district would benefit from direct conversations with school leadership about what supports are in place, how the district is working to lift literacy outcomes, and what the high school pathway looks like in terms of graduation and postsecondary preparation.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

535

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 0%

Black 98%

White 1%

Two+ 1%

Schools in this District

3 schools are officially reported under this district.

NORTH DELTA ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL

R H BEARDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WEST TALLAHATCHIE HIGH SCHOOL

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

18%

Grade 3

47%

Grade 4

38%

Grade 5

79%

Grade 6

25%

Grade 7

18%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

22%

Grade 3

31%

Grade 4

29%

Grade 5

29%

Grade 6

20%

Grade 7

10%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

35%

Grade 5

25%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$89,093

Year-over-year change-16.1%

Range across 4 ZIP codes$69K to $140K

vs. state typical0.46x

vs. national typical0.24x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (4 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
38963	Tutwiler	$92K	-21.4%	39.1%
38737	Drew	$69K	-5.7%	12.7%
38921	Charleston	$98K	-6.3%	8.1%
38944	Minter City	$140K	-17.5%	1.1%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$450/mo

Home price / national median income1.1x

Comparison

State typical home value$194,242 (+1.1% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.