Summary:
Zip code 39553 in Gautier, Mississippi is served by three elementary schools — Martin Bluff, Gautier Elementary, and College Park Elementary — all serving grades PK-4 within the Pascagoula-Gautier School District, a 4-star district ranked 35th out of 134 in Mississippi. The three schools share the same district framework and similar student-teacher ratios (roughly 13–14:1), but their performance paths differ notably.
Gautier Elementary is the strongest school overall. It improved from #114 to #94 in state rankings over three years, holds a 4-star rating, and tops the group in average MAAP proficiency (58.9%). It also outperforms both district and state in all four current-year subject/grade measures — impressive given it serves the highest poverty population (81.6% free/reduced lunch). College Park Elementary is the biggest improver, jumping 105 spots from #260 to #155, and posted the highest 4th-grade scores of any school (65.3% ELA, 55.8% math), while its 3rd-grade scores trail state averages. Martin Bluff has the best attendance by far (12.0% chronic absenteeism vs. district 21.1%) and the lowest poverty rate (71.7%), but its academics are middle-of-the-pack, with 4th-grade math (48.5%) below state and district averages.
Overall, Gautier is the safest bet for consistent academic performance, despite its poverty challenges. College Park offers a compelling turnaround story and remarkable 4th-grade results, which may reflect strong upper-grade teaching or a particularly strong cohort. Martin Bluff excels at getting kids to school, supporting solid early-grade reading, but needs attention in 4th-grade math. All three schools serve high-poverty communities, and all show a pattern where 4th grade outperforms 3rd grade — a good question for any parent to ask during a school visit.
Thank you for your feedback!