Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 39466

Elementary schools in zip code 39466 (Picayune, MS) serve about 2,100 students across six schools spanning pre-K through 6th grade, with most schools run by Picayune School District and one standout by Hancock School District. The district divide matters: West Hancock Elementary belongs to a top-ranked 5-star district and ranks 29th in the state (92nd percentile), while all five Picayune schools rank between the 31st and 69th percentiles. Grade configurations vary—South Side Lower serves PK–2, South Side Upper serves 3–6, West Hancock serves K–5, and the rest serve K–6—so test comparisons should consider these differences.

The clear academic leader is West Hancock Elementary, which outperforms the state in every subject and grade, with 5th grade science at 96.7% proficiency and strong ELA/math scores (roughly 70% proficient), all while serving a high-poverty population (75% free/reduced lunch) with the lowest student-teacher ratio (13.4). Within the Picayune district, South Side Upper Elementary stands out for exceptional upper-grade math (72.7% in 5th, 68.5% in 6th) and the lowest chronic absenteeism among district schools (28.5%). Roseland Park Elementary is the most improved, jumping from the 34th to 57th percentile with big gains in 3rd grade ELA and 6th grade math. Nicholson Elementary also improved significantly, especially in 5th grade math (15.7% to 45.8%), and has excellent 3rd grade math (67.5%), but its 43.4% chronic absenteeism rate—nearly double the state average—poses a serious risk to sustaining gains.

Math is the weakest area across most Picayune schools, particularly West Side Elementary, where math proficiency ranges from just 26.4% to 38.6% in grades 3–6. Chronic absenteeism exceeds the state average (23.9%) at every school, though West Hancock still achieves high results despite a 31.1% rate. Science is a hidden strength across the zip code, with five of six schools above the state average in 5th grade science. Overall, this area contains one elite school, one strong district school, several improving schools, and a few with real challenges—so parents should weigh school-specific results carefully.