Best High Schools in Zip Code 39475

Zip code 39475 is served by exactly one high school, Purvis High School, a grades 9–12 campus in Purvis, Mississippi, within the Lamar County School District. Given that there is only one school, all comparisons are made against district and state averages rather than neighboring schools.

Purvis High School enrolls 614 students and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.5 to 1, with about half of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. Academically, the school shows a mixed picture. Biology is a clear strength, with proficiency rates consistently above state averages and even exceeding the district in 2024–25 (79.6% vs. 78.7%). U.S. History also posted strong results, nearly matching the district. English II has improved, rising from 53.0% to 57.8% proficiency and staying above the state average. However, Algebra I is a concern, dropping sharply from 76.2% to 64.5% proficiency and falling below both district and state levels in the most recent year. The school’s state ranking has slipped from the 79th percentile (4 stars) in 2023–24 to the 66th percentile (3 stars) in 2025–26, even as the district remains highly ranked. Chronic absenteeism stands out as a major red flag: at 28.6%, it is significantly higher than the district’s 18.6% and the state’s 23.9%.

Despite these challenges, the graduation rate of 89.9% is slightly above the state average, and the school’s science and social studies results are genuinely strong. The combination of a low student-teacher ratio and strong performance in Biology and History suggests areas of effective instruction that could be expanded to math and English. For parents, the key takeaway is that Purvis High School offers a solid education with notable strengths, but the declining math scores and high absenteeism are urgent issues to watch. The most pressing priorities should be improving attendance, reversing the Algebra I decline, and building on the school’s successful subjects, all while staying mindful of its position within a strong district context.