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Hayes Cooper Center

Q: Is Hayes Cooper Center a good school?

Hayes Cooper Center ranks 121 st of 377 Mississippi elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades PK, KG-6

121^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 377 Mississippi Elementary Schools

Better than 68% of Mississippi elementary schools

Summary

Hayes Cooper Center is a PK–6 elementary school in Merigold, MS, serving 304 students in the Cleveland School District. The school currently ranks 120th of 377 Mississippi elementary schools—the 68th percentile with a 3-star rating. After spending years among the state's elite with 5-star, top-5% rankings through 2021-2022, Hayes Cooper has settled into a solidly above-average position that still makes it one of the strongest elementary schools in the region.

Hayes Cooper's academics clearly lead its district. Students score roughly 15 points above district averages in both English Language Arts (57% vs. 42%) and math (61% vs. 42%). Upper-elementary math is exceptional: 5th grade posted 78.8% proficiency and 6th grade posted 82.8%, compared to state averages near 50%. The school also posts a remarkably low 7% chronic absenteeism rate versus 25.5% for the district and 23.9% statewide. All of this happens at a school where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Only Bell Academy, ranked 124th, is a close academic peer nearby; schools like Parks Elementary, D.M. Smith Elementary, and Pearman Elementary trail by a wide margin.

The clearest area for growth is 4th grade, where math proficiency dropped to just 29%—well below district and state averages. Since 5th and 6th grade math are among the best in the area, this appears to be a fixable weak spot rather than a systemic issue. With its strong attendance, dedicated performance in upper elementary, and clear academic edge over its district, Hayes Cooper has a realistic path back to 4-star territory if it can stabilize 4th grade results.

304

Students ?

14.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,835

Per pupil spending ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

500 Martin L. King
Merigold, MS 38733

(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 — 97th percentile in 2016 → 68th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Mississippi average (59% vs 53% meeting standards)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Cleveland School District

✓Above the Mississippi median (68th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 29 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school59%

District avg44%

Mississippi avg53%

121^st of 377

Mississippi public elementary schools ?

Top 32%▼ down 29 pts since 2016

From top 3% (2016) to top 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Mississippi Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 5Elementary Schools in the Cleveland School District

89^th of 133Cleveland 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
2026	65.3	121 of 377	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	67.7	121 of 380	68.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.0	144 of 380	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.2	92 of 358	74.3%	★★★★☆
2022	87.2	33 of 355	90.7%	★★★★★
2021	86.1	39 of 352	88.9%	★★★★☆
2019	90.0	26 of 354	92.7%	★★★★★
2018	93.9	14 of 351	96.0%	★★★★★
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 (2025-2026) ?

Science73%~ state avg

Mathematics59%+9 vs state

English Language Arts56%+5 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

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				MAAP English Language Arts (2026)				MAAP Mathematics (2026)				MAAP Science (2026)	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 (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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	38733	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%)	65.3	121^st of 377 public elementary schools	67.9%		67.7	121^st of 380 public elementary schools	68.2%		57.5	42.1	69.7	58.6	55.0	29.0	78.8	82.8	72.7	$10,835
Isaiah T. Montgomery Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	202 Martin L. King Drive	Mound Bayou	38762	Bolivar County	North Bolivar Consolidated School District	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%)	41.8	223^rd of 377 public elementary schools	40.8%		43.6	219^th of 380 public elementary schools	42.4%	4	31.8	37.9	40.0	37.5	36.3	41.4	60.0	56.3	90.0	$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%)	5.5	375^th of 377 public elementary schools	0.5%		10.1	357^th of 380 public elementary schools	6.1%	18	26.6	21.4	28.0	14.7	10.0	21.4	16.3	20.5	34.9	$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%)	28.2	289^th of 377 public elementary schools	23.3%		24.9	299^th of 380 public elementary schools	21.3%	10	12.9	33.8	46.6	38.3	23.0	38.3	29.3	55.3	70.7	$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%)	31.1	272^nd of 377 public elementary schools	27.9%		21.1	323^rd of 380 public elementary schools	15.0%	51	40.0	48.3	44.1	54.2	28.6	37.9	14.7	54.2	47.1	$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%)	64.4	125^th of 377 public elementary schools	66.8%		71	108^th of 380 public elementary schools	71.6%	17	48.6	52.6	52.7	74.3	51.3	63.2	50.0	94.3	61.1	$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%)	46.1	208^th of 377 public elementary schools	44.8%		39.4	235^th of 380 public elementary schools	38.2%	27	47.0	47.0	48.4		55.9	52.9	38.7		58.1	$15,006
Casper E Hall	Public	PK, KG-6	615 School St	Duncan	38740	Bolivar County	North Bolivar Consolidated School District	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%)	51.3	178^th of 377 public elementary schools	52.8%		48.1	201^st of 380 public elementary schools	47.1%	23	54.2	30.0	76.2	51.7	25.0	50.0	47.6	34.4	85.7	$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%)	13.7	336^th of 377 public elementary schools	10.9%		19.1	328^th of 380 public elementary schools	13.7%	8	32.5	22.4	43.2		35.0	6.1	18.9		50.0	$12,259

Frequently Asked Questions about Hayes Cooper Center

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.

Is Hayes Cooper Center a good school?

Hayes Cooper Center ranks 121^st of 377 Mississippi elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Hayes Cooper Center in?

Cleveland School District

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Schools in Merigold, MS

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Latest Mississippi data All new data »

2024–25 attendance dataNewOct 6, 2026

2025–26 MAAP test scoresAug 21, 2026

2023–24 school spending dataSep 26, 2025

2023–24 through 2024–25 attendance data & graduation ratesSep 26, 2025

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.