Summary:
Zip code 39565 in Vancleave, Mississippi is served by two public elementary schools within the elite Jackson County School District—the #2 ranked district in Mississippi—namely Vancleave Lower Elementary (PK–3, 686 students) and Vancleave Upper Elementary (4–5, 333 students), which together serve about 1,019 students, roughly 60% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Vancleave Upper Elementary is the clear academic leader in the area, ranking #19 out of 377 Mississippi elementary schools (95th percentile, 5 stars). It has climbed steadily from #48 to #27 to #19 over the past three years and exceeds both district and state averages in every tested subject. Fifth grade math stands out at 83.2% proficiency—33.6 points above the state—while 5th grade science hits 86.1% proficiency. In contrast, Vancleave Lower Elementary trails its district peers by 3–4 points in 3rd grade ELA (57.8%) and 3rd grade math (59.5%), though it still outperforms the state by 9–11 points. Both schools share similar demographics, making the academic gap between the two particularly notable.
Year-over-year trends show Vancleave Upper Elementary on the rise, with 4th grade ELA improving 5.7 points and 5th grade math jumping 9.9 points, while Vancleave Lower Elementary saw a 6.4-point decline in 3rd grade ELA. Attendance is a strength at both schools, with chronic absenteeism at 15.9% (Upper) and 17.5% (Lower)—well below the state rate of 23.9%. The feeder pattern from PK–3 to 4–5 produces exceptional results by 5th grade, suggesting strong academic acceleration in the upper elementary years. If the current upward trajectory continues, Vancleave Upper Elementary is well positioned to become a top-10 elementary school in Mississippi.
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