Photo: Woodlot · CC BY-SA 3.0Gulfport’s public schools outscore 71% of Mississippi districts
54% of students in Gulfport’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Mississippi average (42%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Gulfport, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Mississippi, not nationally.
From Mississippi state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Gulfport’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 160 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Gulfport’s, its schools beat 65%, lower than their 71% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 58% across both districts in spring 2022, against 42% and 47% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Harrison County spends $11,426 per student and Gulfport $12,235, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Christian Collegiate Academy (private), Hope Academy at Florence Gardens (private) and Temple Christian Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Gulfport’s grade
B+: better than 71% of Mississippi school districts, #45 of 101 Mississippi towns. Test scores are above the Mississippi average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Gulfport, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Gulfport · depends on your address
Gulfport High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,702 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Harrison County Child Development Center
Grades PK–12 · 77 students · 5:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Gulfport · depends on your address
Gulfport High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,702 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Harrison County Child Development Center
Grades PK–12 · 77 students · 5:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Gulfport · depends on your address
Gulfport High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,702 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Harrison County Child Development Center
Grades PK–12 · 77 students · 5:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Gulfport · depends on your address
Gulfport High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,702 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Harrison County Child Development Center
Grades PK–12 · 77 students · 5:1 students per teacher
Gulfport runs its own schools through grade 12 (Harrison County School District). From grade PK, students attend the Gulfport School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Gulfport
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Gulfport vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Gulfport’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | B+ | Harrison County PK–12 · Gulfport PK–12 |
| Biloxi | A− | Harrison County PK–12 · Biloxi Public PK–12 |
| Long Beach | A+ | Long Beach |
Every school in Gulfport
21 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Mississippi’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (The Learning Center, Gulfport Vocational Annex and Harrison County Alternative School).
Questions about Gulfport’s schools
Are Gulfport’s schools good?
By Mississippi’s own tests, yes: the public schools Gulfport children attend outscore 71% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #45 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Gulfport in?
Two districts: Harrison County School District runs grades PK–12, and Gulfport School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Gulfport kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Gulfport High School and Harrison County Child Development Center.
What is Gulfport’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Harrison County School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.
How much does Gulfport spend per student?
$11,426 in Harrison County School District and $12,235 in Gulfport School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Gulfport?
Yes: Christian Collegiate Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 441 students), Hope Academy at Florence Gardens (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 188 students) and Temple Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 54 students).
Parents talk
What Gulfport families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gulfport → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Mississippi. Stars are from neighbors.