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#516 of 862 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

6.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Picayune

#6 of 10

public schools

Mississippi elementary schools

#257 of 436

In district

#5 of 9

PICAYUNE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Nicholson Elementary School

Nicholson Elementary School in Picayune, Mississippi, is a regular public elementary school that serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 363 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, Nicholson Elementary provides a relatively personalized educational experience for its young learners. The school has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and social development of each child.

Nicholson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.9 out of 10, placing it in the 39th percentile among Mississippi schools with a state ranking of #525 out of 865. The school’s academic score is 3.9/10, indicating areas for improvement but also highlighting its commitment to student growth and development. In terms of standardized test performance, 39% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 38% meet proficiency benchmarks in Math.

Nicholson Elementary School sits in the heart of Picayune, a town that fosters a close-knit community spirit where local families actively support their children’s education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-27.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,953

Nicholson Elementary School — Students at Nicholson Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below 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 37.9%
School
State
54.0%
ELA Proficiency 39.2%
School
State
52.0%

Based on 14 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
44.8%
ELA
42.2%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Nicholson Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
40th percentile in MS
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

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

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. ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Little Pearl Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Pearl River), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sixth Ward Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Pearl River), which scores slightly 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 7.8
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 2.9 mi 6.7
EARLY HEAD START ROSA STREET Picayune 2.9 mi 7.8
SOUTH SIDE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 3.0 mi 5.1
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 3.4 mi 5.9
PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 3.5 mi 5.5
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Picayune 3.6 mi 7.5
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 3.6 mi 4.3
ROSELAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 4.3 mi 6.3
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Picayune 4.9 mi 5.2
Sixth Ward Elementary School Pearl River 7.0 mi 6.9
Creekside Junior High Pearl River 8.1 mi 8.6
Pearl River High School Pearl River 8.5 mi 5.2
Riverside Elementary School Pearl River 9.1 mi 5.8
Little Pearl Elementary School Pearl River 9.3 mi 7.4
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carriere 10.3 mi 5.5
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carriere 10.4 mi 4.8
Alton Elementary School Slidell 10.9 mi 5.3
Whispering Forest Elementary School Slidell 11.9 mi 6.4
Clearwood Junior High School Slidell 12.1 mi 8.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Nicholson Elementary School has a median household income of $50,926. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $161,400, with a median rent of $907/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.7%. The average commute for residents is 34 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
CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Meridian, MS 6.0
OKOLONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Okolona, MS 6.0
SPANN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 6.0
WEST AMORY SCHOOL Amory, MS 6.0
WEST HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Meridian, MS 6.0
ACKERMAN ELEM Ackerman, MS 6.1

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 is ranked #516 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Nicholson Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nicholson Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Nicholson Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nicholson Elementary School has 37.9% math proficiency and 39.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (2,892/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Picayune). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PICAYUNE SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
3,598
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,883
District Rank
#5 of 9

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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