Summary:
Zip code 39439 in Heidelberg, Mississippi, is served by three public schools in the East Jasper School District — William J. Berry Elementary School (PK–6), Heidelberg Junior High School (7–8), and Heidelberg High School (9–12) — which together educate 739 students, all of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Among the three schools, William J. Berry Elementary School is the largest and most improved, climbing from the 25th to the 41st percentile in state rankings over two years, with above-state proficiency in 3rd grade ELA (53.6%) and 5th grade math (53.8%). Heidelberg High School is a standout in Algebra I, posting 78.1% proficiency versus 66% statewide, and graduates 87.5% of its students. However, its Biology proficiency collapsed from 57.1% to just 15% in one year — a 48-point gap from the state average. Heidelberg Junior High School, the smallest school with only 104 students and a favorable 10.5 student-teacher ratio, has struggled, falling from the 55th to the 32nd percentile, with 7th and 8th grade ELA proficiency near 24%.
Across the district, chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at roughly 10–12%, less than half the 23.9% state average, despite 100% economic need. Math is a genuine strength: 5th grade math jumped from 28.3% to 53.8% proficiency in a year, and 7th grade math rose 12 points. The most urgent concern is a clear literacy slump, as ELA proficiency drops from 53.6% in 3rd grade to 29.6% in 6th grade and remains near 24% through 8th grade. The high school's Biology results are the single largest academic vulnerability in the community. While small enrollments at the junior high and high school can make year-over-year metrics volatile, the overall picture is one of strong attendance and improving math performance, with immediate attention needed in grades 4–8 literacy and high school Biology.
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