Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Pearl River County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Pearl River County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 9,147 students in Pearl River County, MS (there are 4 private schools, serving 475 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Pearl River County, MS are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Pearl River County, MS are Poplarville 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 59% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Pearl River County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Poplarville High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
#1 Hornet Drive
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8424
Gr: 9-12 | 540 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Pearl River Central High School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
7407 Highway 11
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-1986
Gr: 9-12 | 952 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
West Hancock Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
23350 Highway 43
Picayune, MS 39466
(228) 586-6054
Gr: K-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Picayune Memorial High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
800 Fifth Avenue
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-1380
Gr: 9-13 | 936 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #55.
Pearl River Central Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
116 Alphabet Ave
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Gr: PK-5 | 1,414 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Middle School Of Poplarville
(Math: 57% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6 Spirit Street
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-1351
Gr: 6-8 | 476 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #77.
South Side Upper Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1500 Rosa Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-1105
Gr: 3-6 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #88.
Pearl River Central Junior High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
7391 Hwy 11
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-5654
Gr: 6-8 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #99.
Poplarville Upper Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1 Todd Circle
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-3104
Gr: 3-5 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1010.
Picayune Junior High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
702 Goodyear Blvd.
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-5449
Gr: 7-8 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1111.
Roseland Park Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1610 Gilcrease Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-6824
Gr: K-6 | 370 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1212.
Nicholson Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1887 Hwy 11 South
Nicholson, MS 39463
(601) 798-6309
Gr: K-6 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1313.
West Side Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
111 Kirkwood Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-3625
Gr: K-6 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Alternative Education
Alternative School
900 East Third Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0684
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Center For Alternative Education
Alternative School
461 Burgetown Rd.
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 798-6852
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Early Head Start Nicholson
1865 Hwy 11 South
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-7808
Gr: PK | 186 students Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: n/an/a
Early Head Start Rosa Street
1620 Rosa Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-4702
Gr: PK
Rank: n/an/a
Pmhs Career & Technology Center
Vocational School
600 Goodyear Blvd.
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
Gr: 7-12
Rank: n/an/a
Poplarville Lower Elementary School
804 South Julia Street Suite A
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-6568
Gr: PK-2 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
South Side Lower Elementary School
400 South Beech Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0683
Gr: PK-2 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 43%

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 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?
95% of all K-12 students in Pearl River County are educated in public schools (compared to the MS state average of 90%).
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 59% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Pearl River County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (MS):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
The Pros and Cons of Mandatory Gym Class in Public Schools
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)

More Articles

Public School Jobs
Scholarships
About Public Schools
Public School Policies
Teaching