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#563 of 862 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

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi elementary schools

#278 of 436

In district

#1 of 2

WEST TALLAHATCHIE SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About R H Bearden Elementary School

R H Bearden Elementary School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Sumner, Mississippi. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade with an enrollment of 244 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.6:1. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, R H Bearden Elementary focuses on providing personalized attention to its young learners.

The academic performance at R H Bearden Elementary is currently at the lower end with MySchoolScout rating it 3.4 out of 10 and placing it at #756 out of 865 schools in Mississippi. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 19%, while the Math proficiency rate is slightly higher at 24%. These scores indicate areas where the school can work to improve student outcomes.

R H Bearden Elementary School is situated in a rural setting, offering students a close-knit community atmosphere. Despite its remote location, the school strives to provide educational opportunities that cater to the needs of its students and support their development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at R H Bearden Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, R H Bearden Elementary 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.24 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Math vs. State Avg-42.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-46.6 pts
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-20.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,121

R H Bearden Elementary School — Students at R H Bearden Elementary School score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

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 (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 24.0%
School
State
54.0%
ELA Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
52.0%

Based on 14 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
32.9%
ELA
22.7%

* 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
5.8/10
35th percentile in MS
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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 ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 20.4 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), which scores notably 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 4.5
DREW HUNTER MIDDLE SCHOOL Drew 13.7 mi 6.1
A W JAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Drew 14.4 mi 8.8
QUITMAN COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lambert 17.0 mi 6.8
NORTH SUNFLOWER ACADEMY Drew 16.5 mi 6.7
LYON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale 19.0 mi 7.1
RULEVILLE CENTRAL ELEM SCHOOL Ruleville 18.9 mi 4.8
THOMAS E. EDWARDS SR. HIGH SCHOOL Ruleville 18.9 mi 8.1
GEO H OLIVER VISUAL/PERF. ARTS Clarksdale 19.0 mi 3.6
W.A. HIGGINS MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMY Clarksdale 19.0 mi 3.8
M. S. PALMER HIGH SCHOOL Marks 20.1 mi 6.7
BOOKER T WASHINGTON INTERN. STUDIES Clarksdale 19.0 mi 3.6
RULEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Ruleville 19.3 mi 7.0
QUITMAN COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Marks 20.9 mi 5.5
JEROME W. STAMPLEY 9TH GRADE ACADEM Clarksdale 19.8 mi 9.2
CLARKSDALE HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale 20.0 mi 7.6
OAKHURST INTERMEDIATE ACADEMY Clarksdale 20.2 mi 5.5
ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clarksdale 20.4 mi 7.4
CHARLESTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Charleston 18.7 mi 4.5
KIRKPATRICK HEALTH /WELLNESS Clarksdale 20.8 mi 2.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding R H Bearden Elementary School has a median household income of $54,750. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,700, with a median rent of $667/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 5.8
OAK FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 5.8
WARRENTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vicksburg, MS 5.8
GALLOWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MS 5.7
NEW HEBRON ATTENDANCE CENTER New Hebron, MS 5.7
ST JAMES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Gulfport, MS 5.7

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 is ranked #563 out of 862 schools in MS.

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

R H Bearden Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 R H Bearden Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, R H Bearden Elementary School has 24.0% math proficiency and 18.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Elevated (914/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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.

Read our full methodology

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