Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 38701

Zip code 38701 in Greenville, MS, is home to four elementary schools in the Greenville Public School District: three schools serving grades 1–5 and one kindergarten-only school, with all four serving 100% economically disadvantaged students. The district as a whole is ranked 97th of 134 Mississippi districts and holds a 1-star rating, with every school reporting chronic absenteeism above the state rate of 23.9% (ranging from 25.7% to 33.8%). Given the high poverty levels across the area, these schools face significant challenges, but their outcomes vary widely.

Akin Elementary School is the clear standout: it ranked 71st of 377 Mississippi elementary schools (81st percentile, 4 stars) in 2025–2026, dramatically up from the 18th percentile two years earlier. Akin beat the district and state in nearly every subject, including 5th grade science (90.9% proficient) and 5th grade ELA (84.8%), and it has the lowest student–teacher ratio (12.9). In contrast, Stern Elementary School is the lowest performer, ranking 315th (16th percentile) with the highest chronic absenteeism (33.8%) and highest student–teacher ratio (16.9). Weddington Elementary School is improving from a very low base (3rd to 29th percentile) and posted strong 3rd grade scores above state averages, but upper grades remain below par. Webb Elementary School serves only kindergarten, so no test-score comparisons are possible, though it shares the same poverty and absenteeism challenges.

The most important takeaway is that high poverty does not predetermine low performance: Akin proves dramatic improvement is possible, jumping 63 percentile points in two years despite 100% economic disadvantage. Meanwhile, the gap between Akin (81st percentile) and Stern (16th percentile) within the same district shows school-level practices matter enormously. Chronic absenteeism remains a district-wide concern—even Akin has a 32.5% rate—so addressing attendance could lift all schools. For parents, Akin is clearly the top-performing option among the tested schools, while Stern needs the most support. Weddington shows early-grade promise but has work to do in 4th and 5th grades. The district’s priority should be understanding what Akin is doing differently and replicating those strategies across the other elementary schools.