Hawkins Elementary

Hawkins Elementary is a PK-5 school in Hattiesburg, MS, serving 283 students in the Hattiesburg Public School District, and it currently ranks 244th out of 377 Mississippi elementary schools (35th percentile, 2 stars). The school serves an almost exclusively low-income population, with 99.65% of students receiving free/reduced lunch. On a positive note, Hawkins maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 12.3:1 — lower than same-district peers like Grace Christian Elementary (16.3:1), Rowan Elementary (16.6:1), and Woodley Elementary (15.8:1).

Hawkins has several genuine bright spots. Its 5th-grade science proficiency rate is 90.7%, the highest among all nearby schools and well above the district (75.3%) and state (71.5%) averages. This isn't a one-year fluke — science scores have ranged from 71.4% to 90.7% over the past four years. Fifth-grade reading is also strong at 58.1%, above both state and district averages. Chronic absenteeism sits at 18.6%, better than the district (21.3%), the state (23.9%), and several nearby schools including Earl Travillion Attendance Center (22.1%).

However, early-grade reading and math results are deeply concerning. Third-grade reading (22.9%) and math (25.0%) are the lowest among all neighboring schools, running roughly 20–28 percentage points below district averages. Math remains weak schoolwide, with just 27.9% of 5th graders proficient — a striking contrast to the 90.7% science score. This creates an unusual pattern where upper-grade students perform better than younger ones in reading. Notably, Hawkins's poverty level (99.65%) is nearly identical to higher-ranked district peers like Rowan (72nd), Woodley (91st), and Grace Christian (122nd), yet Hawkins ranks 244th. The school was improving for several years, peaking at 174th in 2022–23, but has since slid. These results suggest real pockets of excellence alongside specific, addressable weaknesses — particularly in early-grade math and reading instruction.