Schools in Zip Code 39531

Zip code 39531 in Biloxi, Mississippi, is served by two K-4 elementary schools within the highly ranked Biloxi Public School District: Back Bay Elementary School and Popp's Ferry Elementary School. There are no middle or high schools in this zip code, so these two schools represent the entire early academic landscape for families in the area, capturing student performance through Grade 4 only.

Back Bay Elementary School is the clear standout in this area. It ranked 77th out of 377 schools statewide in 2025-2026, placing it in the 80th percentile with a 4-star rating, and it outperformed both the state and district averages in nearly every subject. Its 3rd grade math proficiency rate of 74% far exceeded the district's 54.4% and the state's 48.8%. This is especially notable given that 65.5% of Back Bay students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. In contrast, Popp's Ferry Elementary School ranked 183rd statewide (51st percentile, 3 stars) and trailed both the district and state averages in most subjects, including a 3rd grade math proficiency rate of just 41.1%—a 32.9 percentage-point gap behind Back Bay. Both schools have similar student-teacher ratios (17.0 versus 17.3), making academic outcomes the biggest differentiator.

Chronic absenteeism is a shared concern, with Popp's Ferry at 24.7% and Back Bay at 22.3%, both above the district average of 19.7%. The positive news is that both schools are improving: Back Bay jumped from the 67th to the 80th percentile in one year, while Popp's Ferry has improved its ranking for three consecutive years, moving from the 44th to the 51st percentile. For families in zip code 39531, Back Bay is an exceptional choice, while Popp's Ferry is a steadily improving school worth watching.