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Gulfport Central Middle

Public Grades 6-8
163rd
SchoolDigger Rank ?
of 266 Mississippi Middle Schools
Better than 39% of Mississippi middle schools
Summary

Gulfport Central Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in the Gulfport School District in Gulfport, Mississippi, with 593 students. While the school has consistently been ranked in the middle range of Mississippi middle schools, receiving 2 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger, it faces several key challenges that set it apart from its peers.

One of the most significant issues is the school's high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 16.8% to 23.9% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state average and the Gulfport School District average. This high rate of chronic absenteeism may be contributing to the school's lower academic performance, as its test scores in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science are consistently lower than the Gulfport School District and the state of Mississippi averages. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's proficiency rates ranged from 31.5% to 50% across the different subjects and grade levels, while the district and state averages were higher.

Another notable factor is the school's extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 99.49% to 100% over the past few years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. This socioeconomic factor may be impacting the school's academic performance, and the school may need to implement targeted interventions and support systems to address the needs of its student population. However, the school's low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 10.6 to 12.4 over the past few years, suggests that it has the potential to improve with the right strategies and interventions, such as addressing chronic absenteeism and providing additional support for economically disadvantaged students.

568
Students ?
11.4
Student/teacher ratio ?
$12,532
Per pupil spending ?
99.8%
Free/discounted lunch ?
 1310 42nd Avenue
       Gulfport, MS  39501

(228) 870-1035

District: Gulfport School District


Students who attend Gulfport Central Middle usually attend:

High:    Gulfport High School

Feeder schools for Gulfport Central Middle:

Elementary:    28th Street Elementary
    Central Elementary
    West Elementary
Racial breakdown:

African American:
76.1%
White:
10.6%
Hispanic:
8.5%
more
 See top rated Mississippi middle schools

 Compare Gulfport Central Middle to nearby middle schools!
At a glance
Ranking trend: Rebounding — 33rd percentile in 2022 → 39th in 2025
Strengths
Ranking is rebounding — up to 39th (2025) from a 33rd-percentile low (2022)
Small classes — about 11 students per teacher
Worth a look
!Test scores below the Mississippi average (40% vs 48% meeting standards)
!Mathematics scores 13 pts below the Mississippi average
Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?
This school40%
District avg53%
Mississippi avg48%
163rd of 266
Mississippi public middle schools ?
Bottom 39%▼ down 16 pts since 2015
From top 45% (2015) to bottom 39% (2025)
See the entire ranking list of Mississippi Middle Schools →
SchoolDigger rating ?
2nd of 2Middle Schools in the Gulfport School District
39th of 130Gulfport 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

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankMississippi percentileRating
202540.8163 of 26638.7%★★☆☆☆
202441.9157 of 26440.5%★★☆☆☆
202340.1137 of 24343.6%★★☆☆☆
202230.5173 of 25732.7%★★☆☆☆
202132.0163 of 25736.6%★★☆☆☆
201938.3158 of 26440.2%★★☆☆☆
201836.7163 of 25235.3%★★☆☆☆
201742.1156 of 27242.6%★★☆☆☆
201550.6120 of 26654.9%★★★☆☆
201247.9152 of 27043.7%★★☆☆☆
201154.5131 of 26450.4%★★★☆☆
201059.3105 of 25558.8%★★★☆☆
200960.698 of 24760.3%★★★☆☆
200854.4128 of 24447.5%★★☆☆☆
By subject vs Mississippi (2024-2025) ?
Science50%-5 vs state
Mathematics39%-13 vs state
English Language Arts37%-5 vs state

4.8
20 ratings · 20 written reviews
516
43
31
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10
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What people are saying
by a teacher
Friday, April 12, 2013

Open Quote Gulfport Central Middle School is an excellent school! This is my 2nd year teaching here, and I love it. The teachers are truly dedicated to providing the best education for their students! Close Quote


by a student
Friday, April 12, 2013

Open Quote I have been going to this school for three years and i can say that it was a great experience. The administration in gulfport period is just fantastic at what they do. The teachers treat the students as one of their own and they really want to teach them. All together, there is no school in america that can top this one in my eyes Close Quote


by a student
Friday, April 12, 2013

Open Quote Central Midlle School has been a great school. I have been here for 3 years,
and I have made many accomplishments. Here, they offer many Extra- Cirricular activities and Clubs: BetaClub, Honors Society, BuildersClub, YatchClub,Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer,and Cheerleading. The teachers are admirable.They help us set and meet our goals. At Central, they have high expectations for everyone, and will do whatever it takes to help them meet and exceed them! Close Quote


by a student
Friday, April 12, 2013

Open Quote Central middle school is a great school. the teachers allways consider the students before they make any desicion. i have never been to a school that has cared so much about it s students and its community. there are multiple extracurricular programs that give back to the community such as student council, national junior honors society, builders club, CAN engineering.....ect. this is a truley unique and great school. Close Quote


by a teacher
Friday, April 12, 2013

Open Quote Central Middle is a great school with a common goal--to help students succeed. It is clear when you walk in the building that the school staff are working together to do what's best for students. Close Quote


by a teacher
Friday, April 12, 2013

Open Quote Gulfport Central Middle Schools offers many extra curricular activities and clubs for your children to get involved in. Teachers are not only dedicated to your child's academics but also in making them a well rounded student. Students can earn credits towards their high school graduation at GCMS through their algebra class and STEM class. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote The teachers and administration of this school are superb! They work with the students providing help and support where needed, either academic or behavior, until the student doesn't need it any more. The school is very nice and clean also. Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote This is my third year teaching at Gulfport Central Middle School, and I love it! The administration and faculty think of the students with every decision made. We, the teachers, strive to differentiate the instruction to meet the needs of ALL of our students. We do everything that we can to help them achieve and succeed! GO COMMODORES!!! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote I highly recommend Gulfport Central Middle School if you're seeking a top education for your child with an exceptional learning environment. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote Gulfport Central Middle School has made GREAT improvements in the last few years and is now among the best middle schools on the Coast. The teachers and staff go above and beyond and genuinely love their students. The teachers care about their students and work to create the best learning environment for their students. I would not hesitate to recommend this school and the Gulfport School District. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote Gulfport Central Middle School Child Nutrition employees work well together and meet the needs of the students! Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote The gulfport school district is one of the best school district to send a child to school because Gulfport is the EDUCATION DESTINATION! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote I am a proud parent of the gulfport school Dist. and i wouldn't have it any other way!!! Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote At Gulfport Central Middle School, we work as a team in Child Nutrition! Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote As being an employee of the Gulfport School District Child Nutrition Program for 5+ years, I have been pleased with my fellow employees! Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote Gulfport Central Middle School IS GREAT THE KIDS HERE ARE AWESOME THEY ALWAYS KEEP A SMLE ON MY FACE.THERE HAS BEEN MANY CHANGES SINCE DR.MICHAEL BATTLE HAS BEEN PRINCIPAL.I LOOK FOWARD TO COMMING TO WORK. Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote The Gulfport schools have been blazing the trail for the state of MS by being the only school district in the state to fully implement the Common Core State Standards on behalf of the state department of ed. The teachers have received statewide and local notoriety for their efforts. Two members of the instructional department were selected to serve on the state's national PARCC team. Our district is progressive; for example, all 9th-10th grade students have been provided en e-reader to lighten the load of the book bags. Other technological advances are being made available to our teachers, students, and principals. All core classes have interactive whiteboards. We have redesigned our high school to give students career-based opportunities and early college experience during their junior and senior years. The arts are important to developing a well-rounded student. Our music programs (band, choir, and strings) are among the best in the country and world! How do I know? We continue to win sweepstakes awards each year and have been invited to Disney and Germany to showcase our talents! Athletics? We are the home of state champions in soccer, basketball, and weight lifting. Our Marine ROTC teaches leadership and continues to win state and regional competitions as well. We hold ourselves and our students to high levels of excellence. Gulfport is a great education destination!

SN: Those of us who work for the district may bring our children with us if we live out of district. I'm proud to say, we chose GSD. Best decision we could have made. My children's feeder pattern: West-Gulfport Central Middle-Gulfport High led my sons to honors programs and academic scholarships. This school is no exception! High standards coupled with hard work leads to a successful child. Close Quote


by a citizen
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Open Quote This school adheres to all the strict requirements of the USDA when preparing/serving their meals. Close Quote


by a teacher
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Open Quote Good middle school and has good programs within it! Close Quote


by a teacher
Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Open Quote In 2011, the Mississippi Department of Education selected the Gulfport School District as one of three school districts to participate in a pilot program called Excellence for All. As part of this program, selected school districts were given the opportunity to develop innovative programs for their students that would prepare them to compete on a national and global setting in the core subjects as well as improve students' career and college readiness. Due to a major shift from Mississippi Curriculum Standards to Common Core State Standards, the data on this site does not reflect this shift. Please see the Gulfport School District's website to see actual testing information for the Gulfport School District. (You may also sign up to follow us on Twitter.)

A highly functional school district, the District's selection as a pilot program represents the progressive and passionate commitment to be internationally competitive as the community and district work to meet the mission of the Gulfport School District.

The mission of the Gulfport School District is to inspire each student to become a problem solver, lifelong learner, and productive member of society. Close Quote





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Frequently Asked Questions about Gulfport Central Middle

Gulfport Central Middle ranks 163rd of 266 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Gulfport Central Middle usually go on to attend Gulfport High School

In the 2024-25 school year, 568 students attended Gulfport Central Middle.

Students at Gulfport Central Middle are 76% African American, 11% White, 8% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.


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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.





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