Below Average
#736 of 862 schools in MS
Pearl River Central Elementar
Elementary School · PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST
116 Alphabet Ave, Carriere, MS 39426
Enrollment
1,491
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,491
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carriere
#2 of 3
public schools
Mississippi elementary schools
#366 of 436
In district
#2 of 3
PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST
About Pearl River Central Elementar
Pearl River Central Elementary serves 1,491 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Carriere, Mississippi. With 102 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, providing a manageable classroom environment for learning. The school ranks #450 out of 865 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 48th percentile among Mississippi schools.
Academic performance shows 48% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 46% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results indicate the school is working to strengthen academic outcomes and support student growth across core subjects. Located on Alphabet Avenue, Pearl River Central Elementary sits in the heart of Pearl River County's rural community.
The surrounding 39426 ZIP code area has a median household income of $73,622 and a median home value of $198,900, with 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The community maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.8% among its 17,393 residents. As one of the larger elementary schools in the region, Pearl River Central Elementary serves families throughout this close-knit rural Mississippi community, where traditional values and community connections remain strong.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pearl River Central Elementar 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Pearl River Central Elementar — Students at Pearl River Central Elementar score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.6/10.
How Pearl River Central Elementar Compares
See how Pearl River Central Elementar performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 44% (2019) to 46% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 48% (2022).
Location
116 Alphabet Ave, Carriere, MS 39426
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pearl River Central Elementar may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. WEST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Picayune), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Picayune), which scores notably higher. Additionally, POPLARVILLE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Poplarville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carriere, see our Carriere schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 39426 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,000
Median Home Value
$202,200
Median Rent
$848/mo
Population
17,555
College Educated
20.6%
Homeownership
91.1%
Avg Commute
34.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
42.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pearl River Central Elementar has a median household income of $71,000. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,200, with a median rent of $848/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HENDERSON/WARD-STEWART ELEMENTARY Starkville, MS | 5.1 |
| NORTH GULFPORT ELEMENTARY AND MIDDL Gulfport, MS | 5.1 |
| PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY Olive Branch, MS | 5.2 |
| WEST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel, MS | 5.4 |
| NEW HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Columbus, MS | 5.5 |
| SOUTHAVEN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Southaven, MS | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pearl River Central Elementar
What grades does Pearl River Central Elementar serve?
Pearl River Central Elementar serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pearl River Central Elementar?
Pearl River Central Elementar has an enrollment of approximately 1,491 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pearl River Central Elementar?
The student-teacher ratio at Pearl River Central Elementar is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pearl River Central Elementar rank in MS?
Pearl River Central Elementar is ranked #736 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Pearl River Central Elementar's MySchoolScout rating?
Pearl River Central Elementar has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Pearl River Central Elementar?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pearl River Central Elementar has 43.3% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pearl River Central Elementar a charter school?
No, Pearl River Central Elementar is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pearl River Central Elementar a Title I school?
No, Pearl River Central Elementar is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pearl River Central Elementar?
66.3% of students at Pearl River Central Elementar qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 1,491
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 102
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pearl River County
- Phone
- (601) 799-4519
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST- District Enrollment
- 3,263
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,031
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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.
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