Magnolia Heights School, Senatobia

Magnolia Heights School was founded by Nat G. Troutt, encouraged by a group of citizens who felt the need for alternative education in the Tate county area. In the school's first session in 1970–71, 233 students attended with the first senior class graduating fifteen students on the front campus of the school. School enrollment in the 2015-16 year was 628. In grades 1-12, 5 of 584 students were black.[1]

The school was part of a wave of segregation academies that opened after the court ordered desegregation of Mississippi public schools.[2]

In 1978 Magnolia Heights began its kindergarten program. It received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, becoming the first northwest Mississippi private school accredited and one of the first statewide. By 1981 the curriculum had evolved to put more emphasis on preparation for college. A rotating class schedule, a scheme in which the same classes occur at different times of the day, follows the college pattern.

Magnolia Heights is a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The school received and still holds a "AAA" accreditation in elementary and high school from the Mississippi Private School Association Accrediting Commission and the Mississippi State Department of Education. The school grew significantly in the early years of the twentyfirst century due to population growth in the surrounding area.

In 2017, the school claimed a 100% graduation rate, with 100% offered scholarships.[3]

School colors are cardinal, white, and navy, and their mascot is "Chiefs".

The athletic program, including intramural and interscholastic competition, begins with outdoor play in the kindergarten and elementary school and extends to athletic teams on the varsity level. Many students participate in an athletic program. Magnolia Heights is a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools which sponsors interscholastic competition between schools on the local and statewide levels. The school competes on a varsity level in football, boys' and girls' basketball, cheerleading, baseball, track, soccer, softball, tennis and golf. During the 2007-2008 school year Magnolia Heights added both girls' and boys' soccer.

The baseball program at Magnolia Heights has won 11 MAIS Championships - Eight if which belong to Coach Chris McMinn who collected his 400th win and eighth MAIS Championship in 2019.

The Magnolia Heights varsity football teams have won 13 conference and four MAIS championships. The varsity boys' and girls' basketball teams have won 9 and 12 conference championships respectively. Each of the teams have won an overall state championship. Tennis, golf, boys' cross country, teams have each won state championships, with the golf team capturing the MAIS championship in 1981. Magnolia Heights won the 1998-99 MPSA AA All-Sports Award.

The Magnolia Heights school has a primary building, middle school and high school wings, technology centers, science labs, gymnasium, kindergarten, a building with music and art rooms, and dining facilities. Sports facilities include a football stadium and practice field, a lighted baseball diamond, girls' softball.

Cameron Lawrence, former NFL player

Matt Womack, plays football for University of Alabama

Russ Shows (college Football) QB Ole Miss, 1988-1992, SEC Player of the Week, liberty Bowl Offensive Player MVP 1992, Liberty Bowl 1989, Gator Bowl 1991, Liberty Bowl 1992