LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST

Meridian, Mississippi — 11 schools

5,910
Total Enrollment
11
Schools
$11,502
Per-Pupil Spending
Other, High
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST operates 11 public schools serving 5,910 students, placing it among the smaller districts in Mississippi. The school portfolio breaks down into 5 other, 3 high, 3 elementary schools, giving families a clear picture of grade-band coverage before they move, rent, or enrol. Aggregated across those campuses, enrollment totals 5,940 pupils using the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2022-23 release, and the district is geographically located in Lauderdale County County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $11,502 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, which aggregates every revenue and spending line reported under federal accounting standards. The funding mix is 30.1% local, 50.9% state, and 19.0% federal — a breakdown that matters because districts leaning heavily on local revenue are more exposed to property-tax swings, while higher federal shares typically track Title I concentration. Average teacher compensation clocks in at $63,471 per NCES F-33, a signal of the district's ability to recruit and retain staff against neighbouring districts. The district's equity score — 35/100, ranked #117 of 146 in Mississippi against a state average of 51 — measures how evenly funding reaches schools within its boundaries.

Academic infrastructure includes 4 of 11 schools offering Advanced Placement (16 AP courses district-wide), a 540:1 student-counselor ratio, above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 31.9% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 59.4% White, 31.1% African American, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino across the district's schools.

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST school enrollment varies 2.1× across entities

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST school enrollment ranges from 367 students (lowest) to 761 students (highest), a spread of 394 students. That relatively narrow ratio reflects an unusually homogeneous campus portfolio — most districts have a wider mix of school sizes. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST student-counselor ratio is 540:1 — high (typically associated with staffing constraints that limit per-student counselor time; CRDC data shows higher ratios cluster in larger urban systems)

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment — districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Higher values may reflect larger urban scale or recent resource constraints that have widened the gap.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST chronic absenteeism rate is 31.9% — high (typically associated with higher-than-average disruption; recent CRDC data showed elevated rates persisting after pandemic-era schooling changes)

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason — illness, family obligations, or disengagement Higher values may reflect larger urban scale or recent resource constraints that have widened the gap.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

19.0%
Federal
50.9%
State
30.1%
Local

Funding Equity

35
Equity Score
117 / 146
State Rank
51
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Local Rent Costs

Fair Market Rents in Lauderdale County county, where this district is located.

$781
Studio/mo
$812
1 BR/mo
$906
2 BR/mo
$1,204
3 BR/mo
$1,265
4 BR/mo

Average Teacher Salary

$63,471
Average annual teacher salary

Source: NCES CCD F-33 (Finance Survey).

Teacher salary data from NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 11 schools in LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST.

White 59.4%
Hispanic or Latino 3.7%
African American 31.1%
Asian 0.9%
Multiracial 4.8%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Programs & Resources

4 / 11
Schools with AP
16 AP courses total
540:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
31.9%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST

Nearby Districts in Mississippi

Top districts in the same state — compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

DESOTO CO SCHOOL DIST
35,003 students · 42 schools · $9,536/pupil
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RANKIN CO SCHOOL DIST
18,720 students · 28 schools · $12,330/pupil
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JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
18,710 students · 54 schools · $14,275/pupil
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HARRISON CO SCHOOL DIST
14,355 students · 24 schools · $11,892/pupil
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MADISON CO SCHOOL DIST
13,162 students · 23 schools · $11,926/pupil
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Compare LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST?

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST has 11 schools, including 5 other, 3 high, 3 elementary. Total enrollment is 5,910 students.

How much does LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST spend per student?

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST spends $11,502 per student. The district has an equity score of 35/100, ranking #117 in Mississippi.

What is the average teacher salary in LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST?

The average teacher salary in LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST is $63,471 per year, according to the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey.

What is the average rent near LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST?

The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Lauderdale County County is $N/A/month (2026). This affects housing affordability for families in the district.

What is the demographic composition of LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST?

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST students are 59.4% White, 31.1% African American, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.9% Asian, averaged across 11 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST?

LAUDERDALE CO SCHOOL DIST has an equity score of 35/100, ranking #117 out of 146 districts in Mississippi. This score measures resource distribution fairness across schools in the district.

Federal data Last updated 2026 Free public data

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