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Average

#428 of 862 schools in MS

Top 50% in state

Harrison Central High School

High School · HARRISON CO SCHOOL DIST

15600 SCHOOL ROAD, Gulfport, MS 39503

Enrollment

1,508

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gulfport

#6 of 9

public schools

Mississippi high schools

#114 of 196

In district

#13 of 22

HARRISON CO SCHOOL DIST

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Harrison Central High School

Harrison Central High School serves 1,508 students in grades 9-12 in Gulfport, Mississippi, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1 across 82 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks 349th out of 865 high schools statewide, placing it in the 60th percentile among Mississippi schools. Academically, Harrison Central demonstrates particular strength in mathematics, with 66% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

English Language Arts performance shows room for growth, with 47% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 7.9 out of 10 reflects its solid educational foundation. The school draws from a diverse community in the 39503 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $62,005 and median home values reach $179,000.

About 24% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 15.7% among the ZIP code's 53,049 residents. Harrison Central High School sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a blend of small-community atmosphere and access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities that support their high school experience.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Harrison Central High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency66%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness4.9Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.6Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,042

Harrison Central High School — Students at Harrison Central High School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
39%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
38%
2022
Math
66%
ELA
47%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.

How Harrison Central High School Compares

See how Harrison Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
51th percentile in MS
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
1.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
82 teachers

Location

15600 SCHOOL ROAD, Gulfport, MS 39503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harrison Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LYMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THREE RIVERS ELEMENTARY (rated 7.5/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gulfport, see our Gulfport schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
LYMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gulfport 1.8 mi 7.9
THREE RIVERS ELEMENTARY Gulfport 2.9 mi 7.5
RIVER OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gulfport 3.7 mi 6.3
ORANGE GROVE ELEMENTARY Gulfport 4.4 mi 7.0
HARRISON CENTRAL ELEMENTARY Gulfport 4.7 mi 7.3
TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Gulfport 4.8 mi 7.9
HOPE ACADEMY Gulfport 4.7 mi 6.9
BEL AIRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gulfport 5.3 mi 6.2
CROSSROADS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gulfport 5.5 mi 6.8
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Biloxi 5.4 mi 5.1
WEST WORTHAM ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE Saucier 6.0 mi 7.3
NORTH GULFPORT ELEMENTARY AND MIDDL Gulfport 7.6 mi 5.1
NORTH WOOLMARKET ELEMENTARY AND MID Biloxi 6.6 mi 6.5
WOOLMARKET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Biloxi 6.9 mi 5.4
BAYOU VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gulfport 7.8 mi 7.1
SAUCIER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saucier 8.3 mi 6.8
BAYOU VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Gulfport 8.2 mi 5.5
WEST HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL Gulfport 7.9 mi 5.7
WEST HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Gulfport 7.9 mi 6.8
TWENTY EIGHTH ST ELEM Gulfport 8.8 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,298

Median Home Value

$193,000

Median Rent

$1,087/mo

Population

54,230

College Educated

24%

Homeownership

68.2%

Avg Commute

26.2 min

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

36.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harrison Central High School has a median household income of $61,298. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,000, with a median rent of $1,087/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
SOUTH PANOLA HIGH SCHOOL Batesville, MS 6.3
WARREN CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Vicksburg, MS 6.3
OLIVE BRANCH HIGH SCHOOL Olive Branch, MS 6.2
RIDGELAND HIGH SCHOOL Ridgeland, MS 6.4
BILOXI HIGH SCHOOL Biloxi, MS 6.5
OAK GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Hattiesburg, MS 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harrison Central High School

What grades does Harrison Central High School serve?

Harrison Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Harrison Central High School?

Harrison Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,508 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harrison Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harrison Central High School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harrison Central High School rank in MS?

Harrison Central High School is ranked #428 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Harrison Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harrison Central High School has a composite rating of 6.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Harrison Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harrison Central High School has 47.7% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harrison Central High School a charter school?

No, Harrison Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Harrison Central High School a Title I school?

No, Harrison Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harrison Central High School?

73.7% of students at Harrison Central High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (261/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,508
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
82
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Harrison County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HARRISON CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
14,299
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,305
District Rank
#13 of 22

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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