The top reported proficiency rate is 62% in Math. The lowest is 55% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on New Albany Middle School
New Albany Middle School sits on Apple Street in the heart of a small North Mississippi city that serves as the Union County seat. The school draws its students from New Albany and the surrounding area, operating as part of the New Albany Public School District. It serves grades six through eight and is a traditional public school, not a charter.
The town itself developed as a river port on the Tallahatchie River and grew into a regional center for agriculture and commerce. Interstate 22 cuts through the city, and BNSF Railway and the Ripley and New Albany Railroad both cross through downtown. The Tanglefoot Trail, Mississippi's longest rail-trail, begins here, offering a paved pedestrian and cycling path. Highway 15 runs north to Ripley and south to Pontotoc, while Highway 30 connects west to Oxford and northeast to Booneville. Publicly reported Census data describes the community as having a mix of residential neighborhoods and commercial activity, with healthcare and retail as economic anchors at the sector level. No specific major employer names surfaced in the available sources.
On state assessments through the MAAP, the school's math results stand out as a clear strength. Across all three grade levels, a solid majority of students reached proficiency, with rates holding steady from sixth grade through eighth grade. Science proficiency at eighth grade landed in the same range. English language arts results were more moderate, with roughly half to a slight majority of students demonstrating proficiency across the three grades. Eighth grade showed the strongest ELA performance of the three. Trend data was not available, so it is not possible to say whether these results represent improvement or decline over time. Participation rate figures were also missing from the state data.
The school enrolls a moderate number of students for a middle school, with the three grades evenly balanced. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic conditions of the surrounding community. The student body is racially diverse, with white students forming the largest group and Black and Hispanic students together comprising a large segment. Asian students and students of two or more races round out the enrollment. Information on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not available in the data provided.
Housing in the school's zip code remains affordable relative to national figures, with typical home values sitting below the state benchmark and well below national levels. Year-over-year home value growth has been healthy. Rent data was not available for this area. The broader economic environment includes a national unemployment rate holding steady and mortgage rates elevated compared to recent historical norms. The price-to-income ratio suggests that housing here remains within reach for many working families compared to much of the country.
The district brief turned up limited parent-relevant change information. Publicly reported sources reference district-level recognitions and a strategic plan, but no specific recent changes with clear dates were identified. The district operates under conventional governance.
For a family considering this school, the academic picture is one of genuine strength in mathematics and science, paired with more middling English language arts outcomes. The community offers small-town character with regional road and rail connections, affordable housing, and outdoor recreation via the Tanglefoot Trail. What the data does not cover includes specific program offerings, course access, staffing ratios, discipline data, and attendance patterns. A parent may want to ask the school directly about those areas, particularly regarding ELA instruction and any supports for students who are still building reading and writing skills.
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