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#720 of 862 schools in MS

Lester Elementary School

Elementary School · JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

2350 OAKHURST DRIVE, Jackson, MS 39204

Enrollment

168

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jackson

#35 of 47

public schools

Mississippi elementary schools

#356 of 436

In district

#35 of 46

JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Equity

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Lester Elementary School

Lester Elementary School serves 168 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Jackson, Mississippi, with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12:1 supported by 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school ranks #197 out of 865 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 77th percentile with a solid 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating. Academically, Lester Elementary shows particular strength in reading and language arts, with 62% of students performing at proficient levels or above across all grade levels.

Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 42% of students currently demonstrate proficiency. The school's overall academic performance reflects dedicated efforts to support student learning in a community setting. Located on Oakhurst Drive, Lester Elementary serves families in the 39204 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $28,618 and the poverty rate reaches 44.9%.

Despite economic challenges in the surrounding neighborhood, where 14% of residents hold bachelor's degrees and the median home value is $65,700, the school maintains its commitment to educational excellence. The school operates within Jackson's mid-size city environment, providing elementary education to a diverse community of nearly 14,149 residents in the immediate area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 168 students, Lester Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change-5.92 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Math vs. State Avg-12.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.4 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+19.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,155

Lester Elementary School — Students at Lester Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.7%
School
State
54.6%
ELA Proficiency 34.3%
School
State
56.0%

Based on 12 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2024
Math
5.9%
ELA
13.2%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Lester Elementary School Compares

See how Lester Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
17th percentile in MS
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
14 teachers

Location

2350 OAKHURST DRIVE, Jackson, MS 39204

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lester Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CLAUSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ISABLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SYKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Jackson, see our Jackson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
REIMAGINE PREP Jackson 0.6 mi 2.8
KEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 0.7 mi 3.9
PEEPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson 0.9 mi 5.1
JIM HILL HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 1.0 mi 8.8
ISABLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.2 mi 5.9
WILKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.3 mi 3.9
WHITTEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson 1.5 mi 4.5
WINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 1.4 mi 7.3
SYKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.8 mi 5.9
BLACKBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson 1.9 mi 4.0
MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 1.9 mi 2.8
SHIRLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.2 mi 4.4
PROVINE HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 2.2 mi 7.8
CLAUSELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.2 mi 6.8
PECAN PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.7 mi 3.4
OAK FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 2.5 mi 5.8
E. E. ROGERS SDA SCHOOL Jackson 2.6 mi
LANIER HIGH SCHOOL Jackson 3.1 mi 7.9
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jackson 3.0 mi 4.8
LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson 3.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$31,667

Median Home Value

$68,200

Median Rent

$890/mo

Population

14,048

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

32.1%

Avg Commute

22.4 min

Poverty Rate

43.6%

Median Age

31.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lester Elementary School has a median household income of $31,667. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $68,200, with a median rent of $890/month. The area has a poverty rate of 43.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
ARMSTRONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greenville, MS 4.9
SOUTH DELTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rolling Fork, MS 4.9
WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sturgis, MS 4.9
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus, MS 5.2
FRIARS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale, MS 5.2
HARTFIELD ACADEMY EAST Brandon, MS 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lester Elementary School

What grades does Lester Elementary School serve?

Lester Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Lester Elementary School?

Lester Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 168 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lester Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lester Elementary School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lester Elementary School rank in MS?

Lester Elementary School is ranked #720 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Lester Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lester Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Lester Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lester Elementary School has 15.7% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lester Elementary School a charter school?

No, Lester Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lester Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Lester Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lester Elementary School?

100.0% of students at Lester Elementary 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
168
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
14
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Hinds County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

JACKSON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
17,747
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,713
District Rank
#35 of 46

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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