Summary:
ZIP code 38851 (Houston, Mississippi) is served by two public elementary schools — Houston Lower Elementary School (grades PK–2, 472 students) and Houston Upper Elementary (grades 3–5, 387 students) — both part of the Chickasaw County School District. Together these feeder schools serve 859 students in a community where roughly 4 out of 5 students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting a predominantly economically disadvantaged population.
Houston Upper Elementary is the only campus in this ZIP code with standardized test data, since students are not assessed under MAAP until 3rd grade. The school outperforms its district in every tested subject and grade in 2025–2026, making it a relative leader within the Chickasaw County School District. Its 5th grade science results are a standout: 88.2% proficient compared to 71.5% statewide, a 16.7-point advantage. Fifth grade math is also strong at 63% proficient versus 49.6% statewide. However, performance is a "tale of two grade bands": 3rd and 4th grade ELA and math fall below state averages, with 3rd grade math the weakest area at 37% proficient versus 48.8% statewide. Year-over-year results show sharp declines in 3rd and 4th grade — including a 22.1-point drop in 4th grade ELA and a 19.7-point drop in 3rd grade math — while 5th grade improved meaningfully in math and science.
Both schools share an identical chronic absenteeism rate of 11.5%, remarkably low at about 12 points below the district (23.6%) and state (23.9%) averages, which is especially notable given the high poverty context. Houston Lower Elementary has no test scores due to its PK–2 grade span, but its large enrollment and strong attendance record are its measurable strengths. Houston Upper Elementary has a slightly more favorable student-teacher ratio (13.2 vs. 14.8) and earned a 3-star rating in the most recent ranking year, slipping from a 4-star showing the prior year. Overall, these schools show genuine strengths in attendance and 5th grade academics, but inconsistent lower-grade performance suggests room for more stable growth.
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