Best Public Schools in Zip Code 39530

Zip code 39530 in Biloxi, Mississippi, is served by 4 schools — 3 elementary schools and 1 middle school — with no high schools in the area, totaling 2,369 students across two well-regarded districts: Harrison County School District and Biloxi Public School District, both rated 4 stars (87th–89th percentile) among Mississippi districts. Creekbend Elementary And Middle is the clear academic standout, earning a 5-star state rating for three consecutive years, ranking as high as 18th in the state, and outperforming Mississippi proficiency averages in every tested grade and subject. Biloxi Upper Elementary School also beats state averages in all reported subjects, with especially strong 5th-grade science and 6th-grade math.

Among the elementary schools, Nichols Elementary School stands out for its remarkably low 7.8% chronic absenteeism rate — dramatically below the district (19.7%) and state (23.9%) — and the lowest student-teacher ratio in the zip code at 13.6:1, despite serving a high-poverty population (77.34% free/reduced lunch). Gorenflo Elementary School has the highest economic need (94.79% free/reduced lunch) and shows mixed results, with state ranks fluctuating between the 45th and 67th percentiles over three years; it excels in 4th-grade math but falls below state averages in 3rd-grade ELA and math. Overall proficiency averages confirm the gap: Creekbend leads at 68.4%, followed by Biloxi Upper at 62.3%, then Gorenflo at 47.6%.

Science is a notable strength across the zip code — Creekbend's 5th and 8th grade science proficiency exceeds state averages by 8 to 20 points, and Biloxi Upper also outperforms the state in 5th-grade science. However, 7th-grade ELA at Creekbend (49.5%) lags well behind its own math scores (74.8%), suggesting middle-school literacy may deserve attention. With no high schools in 39530, students transition elsewhere after 8th grade, making the solid preparation at these schools especially important. Families in this area benefit from access to two distinct districts within a small geographic footprint, each offering strong state-rated programs.