Skip to main content

Average

#478 of 863 schools in MS

Nicholson Elementary School

Elementary School · PICAYUNE SCHOOL DISTRICT

1887 Highway 11 South, Picayune, MS 39466

Enrollment

363

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#478 of 863

In Picayune

#3 of 10

public schools

In district

#2 of 9

PICAYUNE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Nicholson Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Nicholson Elementary School

6.3/10

Elementary School in Picayune · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Early Head Start Nicholson

5.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

South Side Elementary School

7.6/10

2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Nicholson Elementary School

Nicholson Elementary School is a public elementary school in Picayune, MS, part of PICAYUNE SCHOOL DISTRICT. Nicholson Elementary School serves approximately 363 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Nicholson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #478 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Nicholson Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • MS avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

40% of students at Nicholson Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39.7% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.3% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-14 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.5 pts
Overall Proficiency39% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,883
Chronic Absenteeism39.9%

Nicholson Elementary School — Students at Nicholson Elementary School score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 36.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 38.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 37 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
52%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
44%
ELA
43%
2011
Math
54%
ELA
50%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
46%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
14%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
25%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
33%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
39.7%
ELA
38.3%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Nicholson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.3/10
45th percentile in MS
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1887 Highway 11 South, Picayune, MS 39466

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nicholson Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sixth Ward Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Pearl River), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alton Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Slidell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Picayune, see our Picayune schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.1 mi
School Distance Rating
EARLY HEAD START NICHOLSON Picayune 0.2 mi 5.2
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 2.9 mi 7.6
EARLY HEAD START ROSA STREET Picayune 2.9 mi 5.2
SOUTH SIDE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 3.0 mi 5.3
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 3.4 mi 5.3
PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 3.5 mi 4.8
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Picayune 3.6 mi 7.5
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 3.6 mi 5.9
ROSELAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 4.3 mi 5.0
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Picayune 4.9 mi 5.2
Sixth Ward Elementary School Pearl River 7.0 mi 8.1
Creekside Junior High Pearl River 8.1 mi 7.7
Pearl River High School Pearl River 8.5 mi 5.1
Riverside Elementary School Pearl River 9.1 mi 7.5
Little Pearl Elementary School Pearl River 9.3 mi 7.4
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carriere 10.3 mi 6.1
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carriere 10.4 mi 4.5
Alton Elementary School Slidell 10.9 mi 8.0
Whispering Forest Elementary School Slidell 11.9 mi 7.6
Clearwood Junior High School Slidell 12.1 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,926

Median Home Value

$161,400

Median Rent

$907/mo

Population

28,292

College Educated

11.9%

Homeownership

75.8%

Avg Commute

33.7 min

Poverty Rate

19.7%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
MCWILLIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 6.3
PURVIS UPPER ELEMENTARY Purvis, MS 6.3
RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Avon, MS 6.3
EAST TATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coldwater, MS 6.2
GORENFLO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Biloxi, MS 6.2
JOHN HOPKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nicholson Elementary School

What grades does Nicholson Elementary School serve?

Nicholson Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend Nicholson Elementary School?

Nicholson Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Nicholson Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nicholson Elementary School rank in MS?

Nicholson Elementary School ranks #478 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Nicholson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nicholson Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Nicholson Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nicholson Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Nicholson Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Nicholson Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Nicholson 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Pearl River County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.9%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.