Tupelo Public School District

What Tupelo Public School District does

Tupelo Public School District (TPSD) is a publicly funded, non-profit K-12 school district operating 14 schools in Tupelo, Mississippi, serving approximately 7,007 students from Pre-K through 12th grade. The district is staffed by 1,017 employees, including 593 certified teachers of whom 52% hold advanced degrees and 87 are National Board Certified. TPSD offers a comprehensive program portfolio including a STEM curriculum anchored by Project Lead The Way with Toyota funding, an Arts Integration program recognized at the state and national level (Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Mississippi Arts Commission Model Schools), a Middle College dual-enrollment partnership with Itawamba Community College enabling students to earn an associate degree alongside their diploma, a reinstated JROTC program, Career Pathways, Gifted Education (Challenge Program), special education including Project SEARCH internships at North Mississippi Medical Center, English Learner support for an 11-language student body, mental health services, and a 24-varsity-sport athletics program with 132 state championships and a 3.64 student-athlete GPA.

The district's underlying technology stack comprises the CANVAS Learning Management System (with separate parent and student portals), APEX Learning cyber spaces for advanced online courses, PLTW STEM and robotics/coding curricula, and a one-to-one device program covering grades 2–12. TPSD also operates the first and only Security/Safety Command Center in the state of Mississippi. Revenue is derived from Mississippi per-pupil state funding, local tax revenue, federal grants (ESSER, Title I/II), and recurring private philanthropy — notably more than $3.4 million from the Association for Excellence in Education since 1983, over $1 million from the E.R. & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and more than $500,000 from the Toyota Wellspring Educational Fund.

TPSD is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Mayor of Tupelo and confirmed by the Tupelo City Council, and is led by Superintendent Dr. Rob Picou (appointed 2018). The district has held an "A" rating from the Mississippi Department of Education for four consecutive years (2022–2025), holds District of Innovation status, and reports a 90% graduation rate — the highest in district history. There are no tuition charges; enrollment is residency-based within assigned attendance zones.

Name

Tupelo Public School District

Legal name

Tupelo Public School District

Website

https://tupeloschools.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Tupelo Public School District is a publicly funded K-12 district operating 14 schools in Tupelo, Mississippi, serving approximately 7,007 students from Pre-K through 12th grade via state, local, federal, and private funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Tupelo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. State and Local Tax Revenue: Primary funding from Mississippi state education funding and local tax revenue. District receives per-pupil allocation based on average daily attendance.
2. Federal Grants: ESSER funds, Title I, Title II, and other federal education grants supporting specific programs and initiatives.
3. Private Grants and Donations: Over $3 million in classroom grants from Association for Excellence in Education since 1983, grants from Toyota Wellspring Educational Fund, E.R. & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and other private donors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Tupelo Public School District operates 14 public schools serving approximately 7,007 students from Pre-K through 12th grade in Tupelo, Mississippi, providing comprehensive free public education. Core offerings include standard K-12 academics, Career Academies (Freshman Academy, 2HS, JROTC, STEM pathways), Middle College dual enrollment with Itawamba Community College enabling an associate degree before high school graduation, Arts Integration, Gifted Education (Challenge Program), Special Education, English Learners support, Athletics (24 varsity sports), Mental Health Services, and the Project SEARCH internship program for special education students.

Product overview

Tupelo Public School District is a public school district operating 14 schools serving approximately 7,007 students in Pre-K through 12th grade. The district offers a unified portfolio of educational programs centered on core academics enhanced by specialized programs including STEM education, Career Academies (Freshman Academy, 2HS, JROTC, STEM), Middle College partnerships with Itawamba Community College, Arts Integration, and Gifted Education (Challenge Program). The district operates CANVAS LMS as its learning management system with separate portals for parents and students. Additional programs include Athletics (24 varsity sports), Growing Healthy Waves farm-to-school initiative, Distance Learning resources, Mental Health Services with a Virtual Calming Corner, English Learners support, and Project SEARCH for special education students. All programs are supported by a one-to-one device initiative for grades 2-12 and instructional technology resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tupelo Public School District Schools (PreK-12) Network of 14 public schools in Tupelo, Mississippi providing free Pre-K through 12th grade education to approximately 7,007 students, including elementary, middle, and high schools plus a Career-Technical Center and Structured Day Program.
• Middle College Program Partnership program with Itawamba Community College enabling high school students to earn both a high school diploma and an associate's degree before graduating high school, with 32 college credits toward an AA degree.
• Career Academies Career-focused programs for high school students including Freshman Academy, 2HS, JROTC (120 cadets), and STEM pathways to prepare students for college and career readiness.
• Tupelo Career-Technical Center Career and Technical Education center serving grades 9-12, providing workforce-aligned training and skill development for high school students.
• Athletics Program Athletics program featuring 24 varsity sports and 7 junior varsity sports competing as the Golden Wave, with a student athlete GPA of 3.64 and 132 state athletic championships.
• Gifted Education (Challenge Program) Program for intellectually gifted students providing opportunities to explore advanced subjects including brain science, coding with programmable robots, and pottery.
• Arts Integration Program Arts integration program in PreK-8th grades recognized as Mississippi Arts Commission Model Schools (Joyner Elementary, Thomas Street Elementary, ECEC), honored with the Governor's Award for Excellence in Arts Education and as a Kennedy Center National Semi-Finalist.
• Project SEARCH Internship Program National program assisting special education students in their final year of high school with internships at North Mississippi Medical Center to prepare them for post-graduation employment; district in its seventh year of participation.
• English Learners Program Educational support services for English language learners within the district's 11-language student body.
• Growing Healthy Waves Farm-to-School Initiative Farm-to-school initiative connecting students at 10 schools with gardening, locally-sourced foods, and healthy eating education.
• Mental Health Services Comprehensive mental health support including Virtual Calming Corner, counseling services, crisis hotlines, and resources for anxiety, bullying, depression, and other student well-being topics.
• Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC Pre-K) Pre-K early childhood education program for the youngest learners, designated as a Mississippi Arts Commission Model School.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% graduation rate achieved in 2025 and 2022 (highest in school history)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Itawamba Community College (ICC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiddle College partnership allowing college-ready high school students to work toward an AA degree with 32 college credits before graduating high school. First cohort graduated May 2021. Program now has nearly 65 students enrolled. Also nursing partnership announced June 2023.
• North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Employee Clinics & Wellness Center benefit for staff, and Project SEARCH - a national program assisting special education students in their last year of high school with internships preparing them for the job market. District is in seventh year of Project SEARCH.
• Association for Excellence in Education (AEE)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided over $3.4 million in classroom grants since 1983, including $83,000 in 2018-19 and $75,000 through 31 grants in 2021. Supports educational programs and initiatives district-wide.
• Toyota Wellspring Educational FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver $500,000 in services and funds through Toyota Wellspring Educational Fund supporting Middle College and other educational initiatives.
• Tupelo Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community programs and recreational activities supporting student development.
• Buffalo Wild WingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of TPSD Focus program - weekly spotlight on district programs and partnerships aired on Sunny 93.3 radio station.
• Sunny 93.3minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRadio partner for TPSD Focus program - weekly spotlight on district programs and partnerships featuring community partners.
• KrogerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPierce Street Elementary partnership with Kroger for community engagement initiatives.
• University of AlaskaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District to design first Middle College program allowing college-ready students to earn AA degree.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Madison County School District: High-performing suburban public school district in central Mississippi consistently rated among the top in the state. Comparable in size band, governance model, and A-rated performance profile to Tupelo.
• Rankin County School District: Suburban public school district near Jackson, MS operating multiple schools across elementary, middle, and high school grade bands. Directly comparable as a Mississippi public K-12 district with similar attendance-zone structure and funding model.
• Oxford School District: Public school district serving Oxford, Mississippi with similar scale to Tupelo and strong A-rated academic performance. Comparable in college-prep focus and small-city Mississippi context.
• Desoto County School District: Largest K-12 public school district in Mississippi, serving the DeSoto County area north of Memphis. Directly comparable as a large Mississippi public district with comprehensive PreK-12 programming, multiple feeder patterns, and similar A-rated accountability status.

Others

• Itawamba Community College: Public community college in northeast Mississippi and TPSD's core dual-enrollment partner. Comparable in higher-education mission and serves as the receiving institution for Middle College students earning associate degrees.
• Jefferson County Public Schools (Louisville):
• Carnegie Hall (Weill Music Institute): National arts-education partner running the Link Up program. Listed as a TPSD partner; comparable as a provider of curriculum and recognition frameworks that TPSD leverages for arts integration.

Broad incumbents

• Houston Independent School District: Large urban Texas public school district operating PreK-12 across many schools. Compares as a broad incumbent K-12 operator with similar program portfolio elements (career-technical, dual enrollment, athletics) at much greater scale.

Emerging players

• KIPP Public Schools (Mississippi): Charter school network operating in Mississippi. Compares as an emerging K-12 alternative within the same state funding environment, competing for the same per-pupil dollars and student enrollment as TPSD.

Regional players

• Lee County School District: Adjacent public school district in northeast Mississippi serving communities around Tupelo. Regional peer in similar state funding regime with overlapping student demographics and competing for the same teacher talent pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/tupeloschools
• Facebookfacebook.com/tupelopublicschooldistrict
• Instagraminstagram.com/tupelopublicschooldistrict

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tupelo Public School District