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Main Street in PicayunePhoto: Ente75 · Public domain
C
Schools in Picayune · Picayune School District

Picayune’s public schools score below 72% of Mississippi districts on tests and graduation

On the state math tests, 34% of Picayune’s students scored proficient, below the Mississippi average (47%). The grade covers the public school district serving Picayune, 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.

#83of 101 Mississippi townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
39%
▼ 3 pts vs MS 42%
2021–22
Math proficiency
34%
▼ 13 pts vs MS 47%
2021–22
Graduate on time
79%
▼ 10 pts vs MS 89%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.6K
▲ 2% vs MS $12.4K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.3
MS 13.9 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
2,849 students on the public path
In brief

Picayune’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 154 Mississippi towns with household incomes within a quarter of Picayune’s, its schools beat 21%, lower than their 28% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 42% and 47% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,609 per student, against $12,392 across Mississippi (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Picayune Junior High School, then Picayune Memorial High School. Enrollment is up 5% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Ron's Brothers Academy (private) is 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Picayune’s grade

B− Test scoresD Graduation

C: better than 28% of Mississippi school districts, #83 of 101 Mississippi towns. Both inputs trail the Mississippi average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Mississippi school districts we grade (150)Better than 28%
Lower resultsHigher results
Mississippi towns with similar household incomes (154)Better than 21%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,691 test results and a graduating class of 214 could put Picayune anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Picayune’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,722 in math, 1,660 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Picayune, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–63 schoolsDepends on your addressB−
7–8Picayune Junior High SchoolPicayune School DistrictB
9–12Picayune Memorial High SchoolPicayune School DistrictB−

Picayune’s public schools are run by Picayune School District. Parts of Picayune (9% of its land) are served by Pearl River County instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Picayune School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 3,359 students, up 5% since 2020–21 · 16.3 per teacher (MS 13.9)
$12,609MS $12,392 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading39%
State average 41.7% · 1660 students tested
Math34%
State average 47% · 1722 students tested

Picayune vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Mississippi towns that share Picayune’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PicayuneCPicayune

Every school in Picayune

7 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).

District schools in Picayuneby address
South Side Lower Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–2
320 students17:1Rate it →
West Side Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
B−
444 students17:1Rate it →
Roseland Park Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–6
B−
370 students20:1Rate it →
South Side Upper Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–6
B+
310 students14:1Rate it →
Picayune Junior High School
Middle · Grades 7–8
B
465 students17:1Rate it →
Picayune Memorial High School
High · Grades 9–12
B−
940 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Ron's Brothers Academy
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
124 students11:1Rate it →

Left off: 3 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Center for Alternative Education, PMHS Career & Technology Center and Early Head Start Rosa).

Questions about Picayune’s schools

Are Picayune’s schools good?

On Mississippi’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Picayune children attend score below 72% of Mississippi’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #83 of 101 Mississippi towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 21%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Picayune in?

Picayune School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,359 students in 8 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Picayune are served by Pearl River County.

Where do Picayune kids go to high school?

Picayune Memorial High School, with 940 students; its own test results earn a B−.

What is Picayune’s graduation rate?

79% of the class of 2023 in Picayune School District graduated in four years, against 89% across Mississippi.

How much does Picayune spend per student?

$12,609 in Picayune School District (FY2024), against $12,392 across Mississippi. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Picayune?

Yes: Ron's Brothers Academy (religious, grades K–12, 124 students).

Parents talk

What Picayune families are saying about school.

Town Square →
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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Picayune → 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.