Tate County Schools

We are excited to announce several leadership transitions within our district for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.

    •    Dr. Paula Burnes, currently the Assistant Principal at Independence High School, has been named the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accreditation.

    •    Katrina Ricks, currently the Principal of Strayhorn Elementary, has been named the Director of Federal Programs.

We deeply appreciate their hard work and dedication to our students. We look forward to seeing how their leadership will help our district continue to grow and thrive in the years to come.
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Tate County School District is pleased to offer an additional application window for families. We have a limited number of spots remaining and invite you to join our growing school community. To streamline the enrollment process, we encourage you to bring your child with you. If your child is present during your application visit, we can complete their screening that day. For those unable to bring their child during these hours, a separate screening appointment must be scheduled for a later date.
We look forward to welcoming our newest students to the district as we continue building a foundation for success. Upon acceptance of your child's application, a one-time non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to secure their placement in our program. Following enrollment, tuition is $200 per month for the duration of the school year.

Date: Monday-Friday, March 23-27, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: Coldwater Elementary School 671 West St. Coldwater, MS 38618

You must have the following items to apply:
Birth Certificate
Immunization Form 121
2 Proofs of Residency
Social Security Card (Not Required, but Preferred)

Students must be 4 by September 1, 2026. Contact Coldwater Elementary with any questions.

Join our team! Strayhorn Elementary is looking for its next Principal.

We’re searching for a strong educational leader who is passionate about student success and deeply committed to building strong relationships within the Strayhorn community. Think you’re the right fit for the Mustang family?

Apply today at: activeapplicant.tcsdms.org

The application will close on March 16, 2026.
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Exciting updates are underway in the Pre-K room at Coldwater Elementary! Our new Pre-K classroom is coming together beautifully, featuring brand-new technology and resources thanks to the State Invested Pre-K Grant.
We still have a limited number of spots open to all Tate County School District residents. To qualify, students must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026. More information is coming tomorrow!
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Tate County School District will be closed for Spring Break from Monday, March 9, through Friday, March 13. We are so proud of the hard work our students and staff have shown throughout the third nine weeks.
Have a safe and wonderful week of rest. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus Monday, March 16.
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

We want to extend a sincere thank you to the dedicated maintenance workers and bus shop employees who keep Tate County Schools running smoothly.
From ensuring our classrooms are safe and comfortable to keeping our buses on the road every morning and afternoon, your hard work behind the scenes does not go unnoticed. We appreciate everything you do to support our students and staff.

#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Local firefighters visited our kindergarten classes at Strayhorn Elementary to demonstrate how specialized skills and rapid problem-solving keep our community safe. By meeting these professionals, students begin to see the connection between their own learning and future careers in public service. Early exposure to diverse career paths helps our youngest learners envision their own roles as vital members of the workforce. We are grateful to our local heroes for inspiring the next generation of first responders.
#workforcewednesday #TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Meet Morgan, an exceptional Wildcat who shines in everything she does! As a dedicated honor roll student, she consistently goes above and beyond on every assignment with a top-notch attitude. She is a proud leader in our Interact and Beta clubs, while also excelling in our HOSA program at the Career and Technical Center. Above all, Morgan is incredibly kind to everyone she meets and has a radiant smile that truly lights up every room.
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

It's a great day to attend the Beta Convention for Tate County! Jr. Beta and Beta clubs from Independence High School, Strayhorn Elementary, and Strayhorn High School represented our district with pride this week at the State Beta Convention in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Congratulations to our hard-working students and dedicated sponsors for a successful week on the coast.
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Our district-wide Kindness Campaign for grades 5-12 is in full swing, and we are incredibly proud of the positive atmosphere our students are building.
A huge congratulations to the Strayhorn High School Juniors for being named the winners for their school for the month of January!
We also want to extend a sincere thank you to Front Porch Psychiatry for sponsoring the delicious snacks for their reward celebration. We appreciate your investment in our students' character and well-being.
Keep spreading kindness, Tate County!
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Ms. Putt recently visited Coldwater Elementary to introduce fifth and sixth-grade students to the diverse programs offered at the Senatobia Tate County Career and Technical Center. By highlighting specific career opportunities associated with each field, she helped students begin connecting their current interests to future professional paths. Early exposure to technical education encourages our youth to visualize their roles in the local economy and community. We appreciate Ms. Putt for inspiring the next generation of skilled professionals and community leaders. Providing these young students with a roadmap for success is a key step in their educational journey.
WorkforceWednesday #TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Independence High School is seeking dedicated educators who are equally passionate about the classroom and the court. We are currently hiring for Teacher-Coach positions for the upcoming school year. If you are committed to student-athlete development and academic excellence, we want to hear from you. #TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

We are looking for creative student designs to serve as the official postcards for the Tate County School District!

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN FROM 6 CATEGORIES:
• K-4 Hand drawn
• K-4 Digital
• 5-8 Hand drawn
• 5-8 Digital
• 9-12 Hand drawn
• 9-12 Digital

"OUR TATE COUNTY STORY"
What does being a student in Tate County mean to you?
Show us your school spirit, draw a favorite local landmark, depict what you love about your community, or show us why your school is special!

 CONTEST GUIDELINES & RULES
To ensure your masterpiece can be printed professionally, please follow these rules strictly:
1. KEEP IT FLAT
Because these must be scanned flat for printing, please do not glue anything onto the paper.
• NO glitter, macaroni, cotton balls, or pop-up elements.
2. SIZE & SHAPE
• Use the official template for hand drawn submissions. 
• Use 4x6 size if using Canva or other design programs.
• Landscape orientation (horizontal/sideways) is preferred!
3. ORIGINALITY
All work must be 100% original. Please do not include copyrighted characters (like Marvel, Disney, or cartoon characters).

HOW TO ENTER
IMPORTANT: 
If hand drawn,  clearly write:
• Student Full Name
• Grade Level
• School Name
If emailed, include the information in the body of the email. 

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS:
April 3, 2026 

Please turn your artwork into your school’s front office or email it to: rblackburn@tcsdms.org. 


By submitting artwork, the student and guardian grant TCSD the rights to reproduce the image for district publications and social media. Original artwork will be returned after scanning.

Meet Shelby! As a dedicated FFA officer, she went above and beyond by hosting our school’s chickens at her home farm during a time of need. Beyond her livestock expertise, her stellar academics and kindness make her a quintessential team player. We are so proud of this hardworking, true Mustang!
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

It's a great day to invest in the students of Tate County! Meaningful mentorship is a cornerstone of our district, and Counselor Kim Walls is a wonderful example of that commitment in action.
By spending quality time with our students, Ms. Walls provides the guidance and encouragement that helps them grow with confidence. These personal connections ensure our students feel supported every step of the way. We are proud of the intentional work being done to pour into the lives of our students today so they can lead tomorrow.
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Big News for our Little Learners! TCSD Pre-K Application Day is Coming!

Tate County School District is excited to announce that applications for the 2026-2027 Pre-K class will open soon! This program will be hosted at the Coldwater Elementary campus and is available to all students within the district.

Space is limited, so make sure you have your calendars marked and your documents ready!
📅 WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2026
🕘 TIME: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 WHERE: Coldwater Elementary School (671 West St. Coldwater, MS)

Eligibility: * Children must be 4 years old by September 1, 2026.
Required Documents (Applications will not be accepted without these):
✅ Birth Certificate
✅ Immunization Form 121
✅ 2 Proofs of Residency
✅ Social Security Card (Preferred)

Costs:
• $100 one-time non-refundable deposit (due upon acceptance).
• $200 monthly tuition for the duration of the school year.

We can’t wait to meet our future Cougars, Wildcats, and Mustangs! Please contact Kim Walls at Coldwater Elementary with any questions.

We are excited to host Application Day for our new Pre-K program on February 20. This is a wonderful opportunity to begin your child's educational journey with the Tate County School District.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their children with them for an initial screening during the application process. If your child is unable to attend on February 20, don't worry—we will work with you to schedule a screening date following the event.
We look forward to meeting our future students and their families!
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Who says work can't be fun and entertaining? Independence High School juniors Hali Starkey and Rachel Blythe recently explored the arts through a job shadowing opportunity with the Northwest Mississippi Community College Theatre Department. While they arrived to observe, the students gained immersive experience by performing a scene from a Greek monologue. We are grateful to the theatre department for providing our students with this engaging, hands-on look at a career in the performing arts. These real-world experiences are vital for helping students discover their passions and future career paths.
#WorkforceWednesday #TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence

Meet Rickavious. His incredible work ethic shines in our Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program! From stellar attendance to mastering drone flight and leading his peers, his drive and dedication are truly an inspiration to us all.
#TogetherAchievingTeamExcellence