Schools in Zip Code 39208

Zip code 39208 is served by five public schools in the Pearl Public Schools district, covering grades PK–12 with a total enrollment of roughly 4,258 students. The district ranks 44th out of 134 in Mississippi (3-star rating), and the area’s schools show a clear pattern: strong elementary foundations, a standout middle school math program, and a high school with excellent graduation rates but recent academic struggles.

The elementary schools are the strongest performers overall. Pearl Upper School is the top-ranked school in the zip code, sitting in the 79th percentile statewide with 4 stars and improving from last year. It beats state averages in every tested subject, including 5th grade science (80.2% vs. 71.5% statewide) and 5th grade math (64.6% vs. 49.6%). Northside Elementary also shines in early grades, with 3rd grade math proficiency 16.5 points above the state average and the lowest chronic absenteeism (13.2%) in the district. Pearl Lower Elementary has no state test data (it serves PK–1), but the strong 3rd and 5th grade results suggest the early pipeline is working. All three elementary schools serve roughly 69–70% economically disadvantaged students, yet they consistently outperform state averages.

At the secondary level, results are mixed. Pearl Junior High School has an extraordinary Algebra I program: 97.8% of 8th graders scored proficient, nearly 32 points above the state average. However, its on-level 7th grade math and ELA scores fall below state averages, indicating a gap between advanced and typical students. Pearl High School posts a stellar 95.7% graduation rate, well above the state’s 89.2%, but its test scores dropped sharply in 2025–26, with Algebra I falling to 42.9% and English II to 43.9% proficiency. Chronic absenteeism also rises steeply with grade level—from 13–17% in elementary schools to 22.6% at junior high and 26.3% at the high school—an area of concern that may be linked to the high school’s declining academic performance.