Ashland Academy was established in Ashland in 1882. Reverend Enoch Wines was the school's first principal. W. P. Gunn also served as principal of the school.[1]
F. S. Abney was Ashland High School's principal in 1915.[2] After the school was integrated, many white students left the school.[3]
As of 1965 the school calendar began in the mid-summer but then, in order to allow pupils to assist in the agricultural economy, dismissed for a month or longer in a "split session".[4]
Segregated schools in the county were more equalized than in other places.[4]
In 1964 (prior to the end of racial segregation) the district had a school for whites in Ashland, a school for whites in Hickory Flat, and a school for blacks in
Old Salem. Unlike other areas, the Old Salem school, renovated in 1959, was at the time the school with the highest level of modernization, and there was less inequality between the white and black schools compared to other areas.[4]
Demographics
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(August 2021)
2006-07 school year
There were a total of 1,340 students enrolled in the Benton County School District during the 2006–2007 school year. The gender makeup of the district was 50% female and 50% male. The racial makeup of the district was 52.01% African American, 46.34% White, 1.19% Hispanic, and 0.45% Asian.[5] 87.2% of the district's students were eligible to receive free lunch.[6]
^"Mississippi Report Card for 2002-2003". Office of Educational Accountability, Mississippi Department of Education. September 2, 2004. Archived from
the original on August 12, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2007.
^"2007 Results"(PDF). Mississippi Statewide Accountability System. Mississippi Department of Education. September 13, 2007. Archived from
the original(
PDF) on November 27, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
^"2006 Results"(PDF). Mississippi Statewide Accountability System. Mississippi Department of Education. September 6, 2006. Archived from
the original(
PDF) on February 17, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2007.
^"2005 Results"(PDF). Mississippi Statewide Accountability System. Mississippi Department of Education. September 9, 2005. Archived from
the original(
PDF) on December 13, 2006. Retrieved May 7, 2007.
^"2004 Results"(PDF). Mississippi Statewide Accountability System. Mississippi Department of Education. September 26, 2004. Archived from
the original(
PDF) on July 5, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2007.
^"2003 Results"(PDF). Mississippi Statewide Accountability System. Mississippi Department of Education. November 21, 2003. Archived from
the original(
PDF) on December 11, 2006. Retrieved May 7, 2007.