Summary:
ZIP code 39401 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is served by 7 elementary schools enrolling 2,454 students across grades PK–5, PK–6, and PK–8, split between the Hattiesburg and Forrest County School District districts, with an average free/reduced-lunch rate of 93.6% reflecting a very high-poverty area. Despite these demographics, outcomes vary dramatically from school to school. Dixie Attendance Center is the clear standout, ranking in the 83rd percentile with 4 stars, posting exceptional 5th-grade scores (83.4% ELA, 81.2% math, 87.5% science) and the lowest poverty rate at 66.5%. Rowan Elementary proves high poverty does not mean low performance—despite 99.5% FRL eligibility, it ranks in the 81st percentile with the area's best attendance (15.4% chronic absenteeism). At the other end, Earl Travillion Attendance Center is the most at-risk school, ranking in the 18th percentile with very low proficiency across all subjects despite having the smallest class sizes.
Interesting patterns emerge in the middle of the pack. Grace Christian Elementary, Woodley Elementary, and Hawkins Elementary all serve nearly 100% FRL populations, yet Grace and Woodley rank in the top half of the state while Hawkins sits in the 35th percentile. A consistent grade-level drop-off appears at Woodley (3rd-grade math at 88.9% falls to 50% by 5th grade) and Grace (72.1% to 41.3%), while Dixie remains the exception with excellent upper-grade results. Science is a surprising bright spot even in low-performing schools: Hawkins posted the highest 5th-grade science score in the ZIP at 90.7% despite struggling in ELA and math, suggesting strong science instruction or a focused cohort that could be leveraged for improvement.
The most actionable takeaways for parents and educators are clear. Small class sizes do not guarantee success—Earl Travillion's 9.7 student-teacher ratio is the lowest in the area, yet its outcomes are the weakest, while Rowan's 16.6 ratio accompanies strong results. Attendance matters: Rowan's low absenteeism aligns with its high performance, while Earl Travillion and North Forrest Elementary hover near 22% absenteeism with lower achievement. North Forrest is the school to watch—it lacks 2025–26 data and has declined in state ranking for three straight years (72nd to 60th percentile), though its 3rd-grade scores remain strong. For parents, Dixie and Rowan offer the strongest overall academics, while Woodley and Grace represent solid mid-tier options with excellent early-grade instruction worth building on.
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