Warren Central Junior High

Warren Central Junior High is a 7th–8th grade school in Vicksburg, MS, serving 525 students within the Vicksburg Warren School District, a district rated 3 stars and ranked 67th out of 134 in Mississippi. The school serves an economically challenged population, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of about 12.1 to 1.

For parents comparing schools in the area, Warren Central has consistently outperformed its close neighbor, Vicksburg Junior High, located just 0.2 miles away in the same district. Over the past three years, Warren Central has ranked between the 36th and 42nd percentiles statewide, while Vicksburg Junior High has fallen to the 19th–27th percentile range, earning only 1 star. In the 2024-2025 school year, Warren Central beat its sibling school in every subject tested, with particularly large gaps in 8th grade math (41.2% vs. 21.5%) and 8th grade science (48.1% vs. 30.9%). The standout academic strength is 7th grade math: in 2023-2024, the school posted 56.1% proficiency, nearly matching the state average of 57.2%—an unusual achievement for a school with this level of economic need.

However, significant challenges remain. Chronic absenteeism affects 40.9% of students (2023-2024), nearly double the state rate of 23.9%, though it has improved from 53.8% just two years earlier. The biggest academic gaps appear in 8th grade, where math proficiency sits at 34.4% versus 51.4% statewide, and ELA at 31.2% versus 40.9%. Math performance also drops sharply between grades: 7th graders post roughly 50% proficiency while 8th graders fall to the mid-30s. Warren Central has held a steady 2-star rating for a decade, never collapsing but also never breaking past the 42nd percentile. For parents, this is a stable school that outperforms its immediate neighbor and excels in 7th grade math, but attendance and 8th grade achievement are the key areas to watch.