For the 2025 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 9,147 students in Pearl River County, MS (there are 3 private schools, serving 355 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Pearl River County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
The top ranked public schools in Pearl River County, MS are Poplarville Jr Sr High School, Pearl River Central High School and West Hancock Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pearl River County, MS public schools have an average math proficiency score of 51% (versus the Mississippi public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Pearl River County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Mississippi public schools.
Minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public school average of 58% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Pearl River County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Poplarville Jr Sr High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
#1 Hornet Drive
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8424
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8424
Gr: 9-12 | 553 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Pearl River Central High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
7407 Highway 11
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-1986
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-1986
Gr: 9-12 | 997 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
West Hancock Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
23350 Highway 43
Picayune, MS 39466
(228) 586-6054
Picayune, MS 39466
(228) 586-6054
Gr: PK-5 | 363 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Picayune Memorial High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
800 Fifth Avenue
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-1380
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-1380
Gr: 9-12 | 960 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Pearl River Central Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
116 Alphabet Ave
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Gr: PK-5 | 1,491 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #66.
Middle School Of Poplarville
(Math: 57% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6 Spirit Street
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-1350
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-1350
Gr: 6-8 | 454 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
South Side Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1500 Rosa Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-1105
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-1105
Gr: 3-6 | 313 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #88.
Pearl River Central Junior High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
7391 Hwy 11
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-5654
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-5654
Gr: 6-8 | 775 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #99.
Poplarville Upper Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1 Todd Circle
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8303
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8303
Gr: 3-5 | 422 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Picayune Junior High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
702 Goodyear Blvd.
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-5449
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-5449
Gr: 7-8 | 488 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1111.
Roseland Park Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1610 Gilcrease Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-6824
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-6824
Gr: K-6 | 368 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1212.
Nicholson Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1887 Hwy 11 South
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-6309
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-6309
Gr: K-6 | 363 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1313.
West Side Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
111 Kirkwood Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-3625
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-3625
Gr: K-6 | 419 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Alternative Education
Alternative School
461 Burgetown Rd.
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-6852
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-6852
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Alternative Education
Alternative School
900 East Third Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0684
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0684
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
1865 Hwy 11 South
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-7808
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-7808
Gr: PK | 196 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: n/an/a
1620 Rosa Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-4702
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-4702
Gr: PK | 151 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: n/an/a
Pmhs Career & Technology Center
Vocational School
600 Goodyear Blvd.
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-7601
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-7601
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Poplarville Career Development Center
Vocational School
9 Career Center Circle
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8343
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8343
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
804 South Julia Street Suite A
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-4736
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-4736
Gr: PK-2 | 494 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: n/an/a
400 South Beech Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0683
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0683
Gr: PK-2 | 340 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Pearl River County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
116 Alphabet Ave.
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Gr: K-2 | 711 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Poplarville Alternative School (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
1 Hornet St
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8477
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8477
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Pearl River County, MS?
The top ranked public schools in Pearl River County, MS include Poplarville Jr Sr High School, Pearl River Central High School and West Hancock Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Pearl River County?
21 public schools are located in Pearl River County.
What percentage of students in Pearl River County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Pearl River County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 89%).
What is the racial composition of students in Pearl River County?
Pearl River County public schools minority enrollment is 26% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public schools average of 58% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Pearl River County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Pearl River County include: Picayune Memorial High School vs. Pearl River Central High School, South Side Elementary School vs. Roseland Park Elementary School, Pearl River Central High School vs. Picayune Memorial High School
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