Below Average
#736 of 863 schools in MS
Pearl River Central Junior High
Middle School · PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST
7391 HWY 11, Carriere, MS 39426
Enrollment
775
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
775
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Mississippi schools
#736 of 863
In Carriere
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST
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Pearl River Central Junior High
Middle School in Carriere · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pearl River Central High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pearl River Central Elementar
2.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pearl River Central Junior High
Pearl River Central Junior High is a public middle school in Carriere, MS, part of PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST. Pearl River Central Junior High serves approximately 775 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Pearl River Central Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #736 of 863 schools in MS.
Structured state assessment records for Pearl River Central Junior High show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- MS avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
Pearl River Central Junior High 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.
30% of students at Pearl River Central Junior High 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pearl River Central Junior High — Students at Pearl River Central Junior High score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)
Based on 35 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: 4.9/10.
How Pearl River Central Junior High Compares
See how Pearl River Central Junior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
7391 HWY 11, Carriere, MS 39426
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pearl River Central Junior High may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. MIDDLE SCHOOL OF POPLARVILLE (rated 5.6/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Poplarville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.8/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Picayune), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Carriere, see our Carriere schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.3 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CENTER HILL MIDDLE Olive Branch, MS | 4.5 |
| LAKE CORMORANT MIDDLE Lake Cormorant, MS | 4.5 |
| OLD TOWN MIDDLE Ridgeland, MS | 4.6 |
| CARDOZO MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS | 4.3 |
| NORTHWEST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Meridian, MS | 4.8 |
| PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Picayune, MS | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pearl River Central Junior High
What grades does Pearl River Central Junior High serve?
Pearl River Central Junior High serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Pearl River Central Junior High?
Pearl River Central Junior High has an enrollment of approximately 775 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pearl River Central Junior High?
The student-teacher ratio at Pearl River Central Junior High is 15.2:1. 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 Junior High rank in MS?
Pearl River Central Junior High ranks #736 of 863 schools in MS.
What is Pearl River Central Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pearl River Central Junior High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Junior High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pearl River Central Junior High has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Pearl River Central Junior High a charter school?
No, Pearl River Central Junior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pearl River Central Junior High a Title I school?
No, Pearl River Central Junior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pearl River Central Junior High?
61.4% of students at Pearl River Central Junior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 775
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 51
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Pearl River County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.2%
- Phone
- (601) 798-5654
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
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