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#506 of 863 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

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#506 of 863

In Carriere

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Pearl River Central High School

6.1/10

High School in Carriere · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pearl River Central Junior High

4.5/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pearl River Central Elementar

3.4/10

2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pearl River Central High School

Pearl River Central High School is a public high school in Carriere, MS, part of PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST. Pearl River Central High School serves approximately 997 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Pearl River Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #506 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Pearl River Central High School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with MS schools
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

Pearl River Central High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

34% of students at Pearl River Central High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency75.8% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.3% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg+8.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency67% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected+3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate90%
AP Participation4.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,031
Chronic Absenteeism33.5%

Pearl River Central High School — Students at Pearl River Central High School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

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 MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 55.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
67.0% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 54.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
49.5% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 32 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
49%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
77%
ELA
69%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
55%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
50%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
50%
2020*
Math
50%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
50%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
74%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
75.9%
ELA
57.3%

* 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: 8.7/10.

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
6.1/10
42th percentile in MS
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.2
Sports
17
9 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
61 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.5%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
4.1% participation·State avg: 2.2 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
9 boys'·8 girls'·26 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.4/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Poplarville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Picayune), with a very similar rating. 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 4.5
PEARL RIVER CENTRAL ELEMENTAR Carriere 2.9 mi 3.4
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Picayune 5.4 mi 5.2
ROSELAND PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 6.0 mi 5.0
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 6.7 mi 5.9
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Picayune 6.8 mi 7.5
PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune 6.8 mi 4.8
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 7.0 mi 5.3
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 7.5 mi 7.6
SOUTH SIDE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 7.6 mi 5.3
EARLY HEAD START ROSA STREET Picayune 7.6 mi 5.2
UNION BAPTIST ACADEMY Picayune 7.0 mi 5.4
UNION BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Picayune 7.0 mi
EARLY HEAD START NICHOLSON Picayune 10.1 mi 5.2
NICHOLSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 10.3 mi 6.3
WEST HANCOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Picayune 11.3 mi 8.0
Sixth Ward Elementary School Pearl River 13.5 mi 8.1
MIDDLE SCHOOL OF POPLARVILLE Poplarville 16.1 mi 5.6
POPLARVILLE JR SR HIGH SCHOOL Poplarville 16.2 mi 7.4
POPLARVILLE LOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poplarville 16.4 mi 6.5

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
EAST CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Hurley, MS 6.1
CENTER HILL HIGH SCHOOL Olive Branch, MS 6.0
MADISON CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Madison, MS 6.0
NORTHEAST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel, MS 6.0
OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL Oxford, MS 6.0
PONTOTOC HIGH SCHOOL Pontotoc, MS 6.0

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 ranks #506 of 863 schools in MS.

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

Pearl River Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pearl River Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pearl River Central High School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.5%
4-Year Graduation
90.0%

District

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

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