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
Enrollment
997
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 74% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 50% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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 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 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (601) 798-1986
- 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
- #1 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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