Below Average
#748 of 862 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
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
775
Student-Teacher
15.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Carriere
#3 of 3
public schools
Mississippi middle schools
#154 of 183
In district
#3 of 3
PEARL RIVER CO SCHOOL DIST
About Pearl River Central Junior High
Pearl River Central Junior High serves grades 6 through 8 in Carriere, Mississippi, with an enrollment of 775 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, supported by 51 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a rural setting on Highway 11, it operates as a regular public school within Pearl River County.
Academically, the school is working to strengthen its performance. In math, about 52% of students score at proficient levels or above, while English language arts proficiency sits at 41% across the grades served. The school's academic score of 5.7/10 reflects opportunities for growth in core subject areas.
At the state level, Pearl River Central Junior High ranks #569 out of 865 Mississippi schools, placing it in the lower third of state performance metrics. For families considering this school, it's worth noting that the middle grades are a pivotal time for academic development, and the school continues to focus on helping students build strong foundations in reading and mathematics. The rural location provides a community-oriented environment for middle school students in the Carriere area.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pearl River Central Junior High 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pearl River Central Junior High — Students at Pearl River Central Junior High score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)
Based on 12 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: 5.5/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 45% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 43% (2022).
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. PICAYUNE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Picayune), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, MIDDLE SCHOOL OF POPLARVILLE (rated 4.7/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Poplarville), 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pearl River Central Junior High 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 |
|---|---|
| JOEL E. SMILOW PREP Jackson, MS | 4.5 |
| NORTHEAST LAUDERDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Meridain, MS | 5.1 |
| PEARL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pearl, MS | 4.5 |
| ST PATRICK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Biloxi, MS | 5.1 |
| CORINTH MIDDLE SCHOOL Corinth, MS | 4.4 |
| CHASTAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #748 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Pearl River Central Junior High's MySchoolScout rating?
Pearl River Central Junior High has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Junior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pearl River Central Junior High has 52.4% math proficiency and 41.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (601) 798-5654
- 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
- #3 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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