Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 39470

Zip code 39470 in Poplarville, Mississippi, is home to one middle school — Middle School Of Poplarville — serving grades 6 through 8 with 476 students within the Poplarville School District. As the only middle school in the area, it sets the standard for the district, which is ranked 8th out of 134 districts in Mississippi with a 5-star rating. The school itself has climbed dramatically in statewide rankings, moving from 97th place (63rd percentile) in 2023–2024 to 47th place (82nd percentile) in 2025–2026 — a gain of 50 positions. It now holds a 4-star rating and sits comfortably in the upper tier of Mississippi middle schools. Because it is the district's only middle school, its test scores are identical to district averages, meaning the school alone drives the district's strong reputation.

Academically, mathematics and science are clear strengths. In 2025–2026, math proficiency exceeded state averages in every grade: 6th grade (64.7% vs. 52.7%), 7th grade (67.7% vs. 57.7%), and 8th grade (56.4% vs. 51.4%). Seventh grade math posted a remarkable 17.7-point year-over-year gain to 67.7%. Eighth grade science is outstanding at 74.4% proficiency, outperforming the state by 16.6 points and staying consistently 16–21 points above state averages over two years. English Language Arts tells a more mixed story: 6th grade ELA is strong at 63.2%, but 7th and 8th grade lag at 44.0% and 44.9% respectively, with 8th grade dropping 9.0 points from the previous year. This recent decline in 8th grade ELA is the school's clearest area of concern.

The school also benefits from strong attendance and low chronic absenteeism — 17.0% compared to 21.6% for the district and 23.9% statewide. With nearly 59% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, the school serves a majority economically disadvantaged population, yet consistently outperforms state proficiency averages in most subjects, suggesting effective instruction and strong support systems. The student-to-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 allows for meaningful individual attention. Overall, Middle School Of Poplarville is a rapidly improving, high-performing school with particular strengths in math and science, a supportive attendance profile, and one clear opportunity for growth: strengthening English Language Arts in the upper grades.