Summary:
Zip code 39154 is home to a single elementary school, Raymond Elementary/Carver Middle, which serves students in grades PK-8 as part of the Hinds County School District. With 453 students and a favorable 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio, this campus stands out as a combined elementary and middle school in a high-poverty area, where 73.29% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Despite these challenges, the school has shown strong momentum, improving its statewide ranking from the 45th percentile (2 stars) in 2023-24 to the 56th percentile (3 stars) in 2024-25, placing it well above its district's overall 31st percentile ranking.
Raymond Elementary/Carver Middle excels in mathematics and science. Average math proficiency is 56.9%, outperforming both the district (44.9%) and state (52.4%), with 8th graders posting an impressive 70.8% proficiency—more than 23 points above the state average. Science scores are even stronger, with an average of 75.2% proficient compared to 64.3% for the district and 60.5% for the state; 5th graders achieve an outstanding 83.7% in science. The school also reports lower chronic absenteeism (17.2%) than either the district (23.5%) or state (23.9%), and the low student-teacher ratio suggests students receive meaningful individual attention.
The main area of concern is middle school English Language Arts, particularly 7th grade, where only 17% of students are proficient—far below the state's 37.3%. Overall ELA proficiency (41.3%) sits slightly above the district but below the state, with 5th grade ELA as a bright spot at 59.1%. The school is clearly a relative success story within the Hinds County School District, and its improving rankings, strong math and science instruction, and consistent attendance make it a positive choice for families. Targeted literacy support for middle schoolers would help round out an otherwise encouraging academic profile.
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