Bates Elementary School

Bates Elementary School is a K–5 school in Jackson, MS, serving 482 students in the Jackson Public Schools district, where nearly all students come from low-income households. The school has struggled significantly in recent years, with its state ranking falling from the 22nd percentile in 2015–16 to just the 6th percentile in 2025–26. While there are a few bright spots—such as 3rd grade reading slightly exceeding the district average and 5th grade science improving sharply from 22% to 45.7% in the most recent year—overall proficiency rates remain far below state averages. For example, 5th grade math proficiency was just 18.6% in 2025–26, compared to the state average of 49.6%.

The most urgent concern at Bates is chronic absenteeism. In 2023–24, a staggering 45.6% of students were chronically absent—nearly double the state average and far higher than nearby schools like John Hopkins Elementary (26.5%), Timberlawn Elementary (24.5%), and Pecan Park Elementary (26.7%). Bates' absenteeism has more than tripled since 2018–19, when it was actually better than the district average. This attendance crisis is widely believed to be a major driver of the academic struggles, as students who aren't in class simply cannot learn.

There are reasons for cautious optimism, however. Bates showed notable improvement in 2025–26—its state rank inched upward from the 3rd to the 6th percentile, and math and science scores improved across multiple grade levels. Nearby schools with similar poverty levels, such as John Hopkins and Timberlawn, post meaningfully better results, demonstrating that success is possible within the same district. Sustaining this momentum will require aggressive intervention on attendance and continued instructional support, especially in upper-grade math and reading.