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Average

#444 of 863 schools in MS

R H Bearden Elementary School

Elementary School · WEST TALLAHATCHIE SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 189, Sumner, MS 38957

Enrollment

244

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#444 of 863

In district

#1 of 2

WEST TALLAHATCHIE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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R H Bearden Elementary School

6.5/10

Elementary School in Sumner · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Tallahatchie High School

5.7/10

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

Drew Hunter Middle School

7.8/10

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

About R H Bearden Elementary School

R H Bearden Elementary School is a public elementary school in Sumner, MS, part of WEST TALLAHATCHIE SCHOOL DISTRICT. R H Bearden Elementary School serves approximately 244 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. R H Bearden Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #444 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for R H Bearden Elementary School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with MS schools
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • MS avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

R H Bearden Elementary 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.

45% of students at R H Bearden Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-1.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.7% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.8% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,014
Chronic Absenteeism44.7%

R H Bearden Elementary School — Students at R H Bearden Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
53.0% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 22.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 37 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
29%
ELA
19%
2010
Math
33%
ELA
28%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
51%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
25%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
23%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
13%
2017
Math
29%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
21%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
21%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
45.7%
ELA
27.8%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How R H Bearden Elementary School Compares

See how R H Bearden Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
49th percentile in MS
Academic
5.2/10
Average
Growth
6.5/10
Average
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
44.7%

Location

P O BOX 189, Sumner, MS 38957

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering R H Bearden Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. A W JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Drew), which scores notably higher. Another option is QUITMAN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Lambert), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Sumner, see our Sumner schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.8 mi
School Distance Rating
WEST TALLAHATCHIE HIGH SCHOOL Webb 1.6 mi 5.7
DREW HUNTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Drew 13.7 mi 7.8
A W JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Drew 14.4 mi 8.8
QUITMAN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lambert 17.0 mi 8.5
NORTH SUNFLOWER ACADEMY Drew 16.5 mi 6.7
LYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale 19.0 mi 7.4
RULEVILLE CENTRAL ELEM SCHOOL Ruleville 18.9 mi 7.1
THOMAS E. EDWARDS SR. HIGH SCHOOL Ruleville 18.9 mi 7.0
GEO H OLIVER VISUAL/PERF. ARTS Clarksdale 19.0 mi 2.0
W.A. HIGGINS MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMY Clarksdale 19.0 mi 4.1
M. S. PALMER HIGH SCHOOL Marks 20.1 mi 4.7
BOOKER T WASHINGTON INTERN. STUDIES Clarksdale 19.0 mi 2.4
RULEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Ruleville 19.3 mi 8.7
QUITMAN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Marks 20.9 mi 5.1
JEROME W. STAMPLEY 9TH GRADE ACADEM Clarksdale 19.8 mi 6.4
CLARKSDALE HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale 20.0 mi 4.7
OAKHURST INTERMEDIATE ACADEMY Clarksdale 20.2 mi 4.2
ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clarksdale 20.4 mi 7.4
CHARLESTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Charleston 18.7 mi 3.4
KIRKPATRICK HEALTH /WELLNESS Clarksdale 20.8 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 38957 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,750

Median Home Value

$159,700

Median Rent

$667/mo

Population

411

College Educated

33.9%

Homeownership

43.8%

Poverty Rate

28.1%

Median Age

32.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BIGGERSVILLE ELEMENTARY Corinth, MS 6.5
CHRIST COVENANT SCHOOL Ridgeland, MS 6.5
SOUTH PERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beaumont, MS 6.5
ST FRANCIS XAVIER ELEM-VICKSBURG CATHOLIC SCHOOL Vicksburg, MS 6.5
BENEDICT DAY SCHOOL Sumrall, MS 6.6
EARL TRAVILLION ATTENDANCE CENTER Hattiesburg, MS 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about R H Bearden Elementary School

What grades does R H Bearden Elementary School serve?

R H Bearden Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend R H Bearden Elementary School?

R H Bearden Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at R H Bearden Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at R H Bearden Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does R H Bearden Elementary School rank in MS?

R H Bearden Elementary School ranks #444 of 863 schools in MS.

What is R H Bearden Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

R H Bearden Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 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 R H Bearden Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, R H Bearden Elementary School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is R H Bearden Elementary School a charter school?

No, R H Bearden Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is R H Bearden Elementary School a Title I school?

No, R H Bearden Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for R H Bearden Elementary School?

100.0% of students at R H Bearden Elementary 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Tallahatchie County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
44.7%

District

WEST TALLAHATCHIE SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
535
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,014
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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