Best High Schools in Zip Code 39562

ZIP code 39562 is served by a single high school—East Central High School—a grades 9–12 school in Moss Point, Mississippi with 777 students, operating within the Jackson County School District, the #2 ranked district in the state. Because it is the only high school in the ZIP code, the outlook below focuses entirely on this school's performance relative to Mississippi state averages.

East Central High School is an exceptionally strong performer, ranked 20th out of 224 Mississippi high schools for 2025–2026 (91st percentile, 5-star rating), and it has ranked in the top 12% statewide for three consecutive years. Academically, it significantly outperforms the state in all tested areas: Algebra I proficiency is 86.8% vs. 66.0% statewide, Biology is 81.1% vs. 63.1%, and English II is 59.8% vs. 49.3%. The school's graduation rate of 91.1% tops the state average of 89.2%, though it trails its district's strong 93.6%. The student-teacher ratio of 15.1 allows for reasonably sized classes, and 48.52% of students qualify for free/reduced lunch—making the high scores all the more noteworthy given that nearly half of the student body is economically disadvantaged. In fact, its performance ranks in the top 10% of all Mississippi high schools, even while serving a population with significant economic need.

The main areas to watch are English proficiency and attendance. English II, while above the state, is the weakest subject and trails the district by about 3 points; STEM subjects are clearly a strength, with both Algebra I and Biology proficiency exceeding 80%. Chronic absenteeism of 24.0% is slightly above the state's 23.9% and the district's 21.5%, a concern worth monitoring even at a high-achieving school. Overall, East Central High School is a reliably excellent institution—not a one-year fluke—and is part of one of Mississippi's best districts, making it a strong choice for families in the 39562 area.