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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.6Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,868

Pearl River Central Elementar — Students at Pearl River Central Elementar score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 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
44%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
46%
ELA
48%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.9/10
15th percentile in MS
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
4.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
102 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carriere 2.8 mi 4.8
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Carriere 2.9 mi 5.5
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Picayune 8.3 mi 5.2
UNION BAPTIST ACADEMY Picayune 8.0 mi 5.4
UNION BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Picayune 8.0 mi
ROSELAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 8.9 mi 6.3
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 9.6 mi 4.3
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Picayune 9.6 mi 7.5
PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 9.7 mi 5.5
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 9.8 mi 5.9
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 10.4 mi 6.7
SOUTH SIDE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 10.4 mi 5.1
EARLY HEAD START ROSA STREET Picayune 10.5 mi 7.8
EARLY HEAD START NICHOLSON Picayune 13.0 mi 7.8
NICHOLSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 13.1 mi 6.0
WEST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 12.8 mi 8.2
MIDDLE SCHOOL OF POPLARVILLE Poplarville 13.3 mi 4.7
POPLARVILLE JR SR HIGH SCHOOL Poplarville 13.5 mi 7.6
POPLARVILLE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poplarville 13.6 mi 6.8
POPLARVILLE UPPER ELEMENTARY SCH Poplarville 14.3 mi 4.7

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
3,263
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,031
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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