Summary:
The Pearl River County School District is home to one elementary school, Pearl River Central Elementary, a large public school in Carriere, MS serving 1,414 students in grades PK through 5.
This school has been consistently strong, ranking 106th out of 377 Mississippi elementary schools (72nd percentile, 4 stars) for 2025–2026, up from 125th the prior year. The district itself ranks in the 90th percentile statewide with a 5-star rating, placing it among the top districts in Mississippi. On the 2025–2026 MAAP tests, Pearl River Central outperformed the state in nearly every subject and grade, with especially large advantages in 3rd-grade math (+13.9 points), 5th-grade science (+13.8 points), and 3rd-grade ELA (+11.0 points). Science is a clear standout: 85.3% of 5th graders are proficient, well above the state's 71.5%. The school also beats state averages in 7 out of 7 subject/grade combinations, making it a reliable academic performer.
Year-over-year results are mixed, with strong gains in 3rd-grade ELA (up 11.5 points) and 5th-grade science (up 10.3 points), but a notable decline in 4th-grade math (down 12.8 points to 61.2%). The school serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, with about two-thirds of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, yet still outperforms state averages in most areas. Chronic absenteeism (29.3%) runs above the state average (23.9%) and may be limiting even stronger achievement. Overall, Pearl River Central Elementary is a top-third school with clear strengths in math and science, and it is a strong contributor to a highly rated district.
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