Summary:
Picayune School District is served by a single high school, Picayune Memorial High School, which enrolls 940 students in grades 9–12 in the Picayune, MS area. As the only high school in the Picayune School District, all district-level high school metrics are identical to the school’s own numbers, making statewide comparisons the most useful benchmark for parents.
Picayune Memorial currently ranks 71st out of 224 Mississippi high schools with a 3-star rating, though it earned a 4-star rating and a rank of 55th the previous year. Its academic performance is mixed: the school posts strong results in Algebra I (79.0% proficient vs. 66.0% statewide) and Biology (69.1% vs. 63.1%), while barely edging out the state in English II (51.3% vs. 49.3%). However, there are large year-to-year swings—English II dropped 14 points from the prior year, Biology improved by 12.3 points, and Algebra I showed steady growth. The graduation rate is a concern at 80.7%, trailing the state average by 8.5 points, and chronic absenteeism is notably high at 35.6% compared to the state’s 23.9%.
With 62.66% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, Picayune Memorial serves a majority economically disadvantaged population, yet still outperforms the state in multiple subjects. The volatile ranking trend (80th, 55th, 71st over three years) suggests sensitivity to cohort changes, especially in English II and Biology. Parents should see this as a mid-to-upper-tier school with clear strengths in math and science, but with significant room for improvement in graduation rates and attendance. The high absenteeism rate and inconsistent English scores are warning signs that may warrant targeted support, while the school’s ability to beat state averages in key areas despite socioeconomic challenges is a meaningful achievement.
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