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Hayes Cooper Center

Q: Is Hayes Cooper Center a good school?

Hayes Cooper Center ranks 121 st of 383 Mississippi elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades PK, KG-6

121^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 383 Mississippi Elementary Schools

Better than 68% of Mississippi elementary schools

Summary

Hayes Cooper Center For Math School Tec is a public magnet elementary school serving grades PK-6 in Merigold, Mississippi, with a total enrollment of 328 students. As part of the Cleveland School District, which is ranked 86 out of 130 districts in the state, this school stands out for its exceptional academic performance.

Hayes Cooper Center For Math School Tec consistently outperforms the district and state averages in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school had significantly higher proficiency rates in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics compared to the district and state. Over the past several years, the school has been ranked among the top 14 elementary schools in Mississippi and has maintained a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, indicating its strong academic standing. Additionally, the school has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 11.4 to 14.2 students per teacher, which may contribute to its academic success.

While the school has experienced higher chronic absenteeism rates compared to previous years, ranging from 22.7% to 25.5%, these rates are still lower than the district average of 23.9%. The school's 100% free and reduced lunch rate suggests that all students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which is a significant factor in the school's performance. When compared to other schools in the Cleveland School District and nearby districts, Hayes Cooper Center For Math School Tec stands out as a high-performing institution, significantly outpacing the academic performance of its peers.

304

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,835

Per pupil spending ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

500 Martin L. King
Merigold, MS 38759

(662) 748-2734

District: Cleveland School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

45.7%

African American:

43.4%

Hispanic:

6.6%

See top rated Mississippi elementary schools

Compare Hayes Cooper Center to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 95th percentile in 2015 → 68th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Mississippi average (64% vs 53% meeting standards)

✓Above the Mississippi median (68th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 27 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school64%

District avg43%

Mississippi avg53%

121^st of 383

Mississippi public elementary schools ?

Top 32%▼ down 27 pts since 2015

From top 5% (2015) to top 32% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Mississippi Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 5Elementary Schools in the Cleveland School District

86^th of 130Cleveland School District among Mississippi districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Mississippi percentile	Rating
2025	67.7	121 of 383	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.0	144 of 390	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.2	92 of 377	75.6%	★★★★☆
2022	87.2	33 of 382	91.4%	★★★★★
2021	86.1	39 of 381	89.8%	★★★★★
2019	90.0	26 of 397	93.5%	★★★★★
2018	93.9	14 of 404	96.5%	★★★★★
2017	91.4	23 of 406	94.3%	★★★★★
2016	94.6	13 of 394	96.7%	★★★★★
2015	92.6	20 of 402	95.0%	★★★★★
2014	93.3	8 of 394	98.0%	★★★★★
2013	94.2	10 of 408	97.5%	★★★★★
2012	96.2	6 of 414	98.6%	★★★★★
2011	96.3	5 of 418	98.8%	★★★★★
2010	94.4	11 of 403	97.3%	★★★★★
2009	97.8	2 of 392	99.5%	★★★★★
2008	93.5	15 of 394	96.2%	★★★★★

By subject vs Mississippi (2024-2025) ?

Science71%+5 vs state

English Language Arts63%+12 vs state

Mathematics63%+10 vs state

5.0

5 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★5

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, February 7, 2016

A hidden gem in the MS Delta. I have had children there for the last 8 years & have nothing but praise. The kids receive an excellent academic education in a loving environment. Consistently ranked top in the state. Would highly recommend to any parent. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 8, 2013

I am a parent wanting my children to attend this school I have heard all good about the school. I have heard how wonderful the staff is and how they take out the time with each and all students. I would love it if my children get accepted. The only bad thing I have heard about the school is that it only goes to 8th grade. HAYES COOPER KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND HOPEFULLY I WILL BE VISITING SOON!!!!!! Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, January 10, 2011

Hayes Cooper provides more than just an education. The children gain knowledge for everyday living which provides better citizens for our community. The faculty is very involved in providing the students with the best education possible. Close Quote

by a student
Friday, September 3, 2010

This school is great. I have attended here since I was 4. I loved Hayes Cooper. Mr. Evans is a wonderful 6th Grade teacher! Close Quote

Schools Near Hayes Cooper Center

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				MAAP English Language Arts (2025)				MAAP Mathematics (2025)				MAAP Science (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MAAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAAP Science 5th Grade	Total
Hayes Cooper Center	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	500 Martin L. King	Merigold	38759	Bolivar County	Cleveland School District	No	Yes	No	No	(662) 748-2734	304	21	14.7	100.0%	139 (45.7%)	132 (43.4%)	20 (6.6%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.3%)	67.7	121^st of 383 public elementary schools	68.4%		63	144^th of 390 public elementary schools	63.1%	23	41.9	61.3	71.0	86.7	44.2	45.2	83.9	86.7	70.9	$10,835
I. T. Montgomery Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	202 Martin L. King Drive	Mound Bayou	38762	Bolivar County	North Bolivar Consolidated	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 333-8952	185	15	12.7	99.5%	0 (0.0%)	139 (75.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (24.9%)	43.6	219^th of 383 public elementary schools	42.8%		28.1	289^th of 390 public elementary schools	25.9%	70	39.3	30.4	50.0	38.5	42.8	47.8	50.0	57.7	72.2	$14,831
Pearman Elementary School	Public	1-6	306 Merritt Drive	Cleveland	38732	Bolivar County	Cleveland School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 843-4484	186	12	15.7	100.0%	16 (8.6%)	141 (75.8%)	19 (10.2%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (4.8%)	10.1	360^th of 383 public elementary schools	6.0%		12.4	356^th of 390 public elementary schools	8.7%	4	40.7	20.5	20.0	20.0	7.4	25.0	14.3	33.3	32.4	$13,390
D.M. Smith Elementary	Public	3-6	715 Martin Luther King Dr	Cleveland	38732	Bolivar County	Cleveland School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 843-4355	233	18	12.7	99.6%	1 (0.4%)	218 (93.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (5.2%)	24.9	301^st of 383 public elementary schools	21.4%		11.8	360^th of 390 public elementary schools	7.7%	59	17.3	27.8	32.5	20.9	42.7	55.6	35.7	35.4	60.4	$13,039
Nailor Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	600 Cross Street	Cleveland	38732	Bolivar County	Cleveland School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 843-4528	256	14	18.7	100.0%	2 (0.8%)	245 (95.7%)	3 (1.2%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.0%)								(n/a)										$12,045
Parks Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1301 Terrace Road	Cleveland	38732	Bolivar County	Cleveland School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 843-3166	265	17	16.0	100.0%	94 (35.5%)	120 (45.3%)	19 (7.2%)	10 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (8.3%)	21.1	326^th of 383 public elementary schools	14.9%		28.8	284^th of 390 public elementary schools	27.2%	42	25.6	18.9	55.0	29.6	36.8	18.9	40.0	37.0	50.0	$13,034
Bell Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	1016 Taylor Street	Boyle	38730	Bolivar County	Cleveland School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(662) 843-4572	327	19	17.6	100.0%	115 (35.2%)	175 (53.5%)	11 (3.4%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (6.1%)	71	108^th of 383 public elementary schools	71.8%		72.9	99^th of 390 public elementary schools	74.6%	9	53.9	53.7	72.2	59.0	46.1	58.5	52.7	92.3	77.8	$11,436
A.W. James Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	400 South Blvd	Drew	38737	Sunflower County	Sunflower County Consolidated School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 745-8892	219	17	12.6	100.0%	1 (0.5%)	207 (94.5%)	7 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.8%)	39.4	235^th of 383 public elementary schools	38.6%		55.4	175^th of 390 public elementary schools	55.1%	60	22.2	56.0	34.4		55.6	64.0	31.3		59.4	$15,006
Casper E Hall	Public	PK, KG-6	615 School St	Duncan	38740	Bolivar County	North Bolivar Consolidated	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 337-6523	194	15	12.5	98.5%	0 (0.0%)	187 (96.4%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.1%)	48.1	201^st of 383 public elementary schools	47.5%		51.1	200^th of 390 public elementary schools	48.7%	1	45.8	80.0	48.5	26.9	70.8	95.0	36.4	23.1	57.5	$15,543
Ruleville Central Elementary	Public	K-5	410 L F Packer Drive	Ruleville	38771	Sunflower County	Sunflower County Consolidated School District	No	No	No	Yes	(662) 756-4276	271	18	14.8	100.0%	6 (2.2%)	259 (95.6%)	4 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	19.1	331^st of 383 public elementary schools	13.6%		21.2	321^st of 390 public elementary schools	17.7%	10	20.4	33.3	33.3		4.1	38.9	21.4		66.6	$12,259

Frequently Asked Questions about Hayes Cooper Center

What district is Hayes Cooper Center in?

Cleveland School District

Is Hayes Cooper Center a good school?

Hayes Cooper Center ranks 121^st of 383 Mississippi elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Hayes Cooper Center?

In the 2024-25 school year, 304 students attended Hayes Cooper Center.

What is the racial makeup of Hayes Cooper Center?

Students at Hayes Cooper Center are 46% White, 43% African American, 7% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

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MSMississippi Elementary School Rankings

MSMississippi District Rankings

Schools in Merigold, MS

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Mississippi Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.