Average
#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
Enrollment
244
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 21% (2019) to 12% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
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
- Phone
- (662) 375-9205
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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