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Average

#624 of 862 schools in MS

Pearl River Central High School

High School · PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST

7407 HIGHWAY 11, Carriere, MS 39426

Enrollment

997

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Carriere

#1 of 3

public schools

Mississippi high schools

#162 of 196

In district

#1 of 3

PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Pearl River Central High School

Pearl River Central High School serves 997 students in grades 9-12 in rural Carriere, Mississippi. With 61 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1, allowing for reasonable class sizes in this sizable high school setting. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranking 251st among Mississippi's 865 schools, placing it in the 71st percentile statewide.

Students show particularly strong mathematics achievement, with 74% scoring proficient or above across grade levels. In English Language Arts and reading, 52% of students perform at proficient levels or higher. The school's overall academic score of 8.8 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student learning.

Pearl River Central High draws from a stable rural community where the median household income reaches $73,622 and median home values average $198,900. The surrounding area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 11.8%, while 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located along Highway 11, the school serves families throughout this close-knit Pearl River County community of over 17,000 residents, providing comprehensive high school education in Mississippi's scenic rural landscape.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pearl River Central High School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency74%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)57%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness3.2Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.8Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$8,868

Pearl River Central High School — Students at Pearl River Central High School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
74%
ELA
52%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Pearl River Central High School Compares

See how Pearl River Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
28th percentile in MS
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
1.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers

Location

7407 HIGHWAY 11, Carriere, MS 39426

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pearl River Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. POPLARVILLE JR SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Poplarville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.3/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Picayune), a more accessible option. For more schools in Carriere, see our Carriere schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.4 mi
School Distance Rating
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carriere 0.1 mi 4.8
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL ELEMENTAR Carriere 2.9 mi 4.9
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Picayune 5.4 mi 5.2
ROSELAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 6.0 mi 6.3
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 6.7 mi 4.3
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Picayune 6.8 mi 7.5
PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 6.8 mi 5.5
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 7.0 mi 5.9
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 7.5 mi 6.7
SOUTH SIDE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 7.6 mi 5.1
EARLY HEAD START ROSA STREET Picayune 7.6 mi 7.8
UNION BAPTIST ACADEMY Picayune 7.0 mi 5.4
UNION BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Picayune 7.0 mi
EARLY HEAD START NICHOLSON Picayune 10.1 mi 7.8
NICHOLSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 10.3 mi 6.0
WEST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 11.3 mi 8.2
Sixth Ward Elementary School Pearl River 13.5 mi 6.9
MIDDLE SCHOOL OF POPLARVILLE Poplarville 16.1 mi 4.7
POPLARVILLE JR SR HIGH SCHOOL Poplarville 16.2 mi 7.6
POPLARVILLE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poplarville 16.4 mi 6.8

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 High School 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
WEST POINT HIGH SCHOOL West Point, MS 5.5
CLEVELAND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Cleveland, MS 5.6
VANCLEAVE HIGH SCHOOL Vancleave, MS 5.4
SOUTH JONES HIGH SCHOOL Ellisville, MS 5.7
WEST HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL Gulfport, MS 5.7
BROOKHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL Brookhaven, MS 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pearl River Central High School

What grades does Pearl River Central High School serve?

Pearl River Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Pearl River Central High School?

Pearl River Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 997 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pearl River Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pearl River Central High School is 16.3:1. 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 High School rank in MS?

Pearl River Central High School is ranked #624 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Pearl River Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pearl River Central High School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pearl River Central High School has 60.3% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pearl River Central High School a charter school?

No, Pearl River Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pearl River Central High School a Title I school?

No, Pearl River Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pearl River Central High School?

55.0% of students at Pearl River Central High 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
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
997
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
61
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.0%
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
#1 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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