Hattiesburg Public School District

The Hattiesburg Public School District in Mississippi operates 8 schools, including 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school, serving a predominantly African American student population with high rates of economic disadvantage. While the district as a whole is ranked in the middle of the pack for Mississippi, a few standout schools, such as Woodley Elementary School and Rowan Elementary School, consistently outperform the district and state averages on standardized tests, particularly in mathematics and science.

At the high school level, Hattiesburg High School performs well on end-of-course exams, with proficiency rates exceeding the district and state averages in several subjects. However, the middle schools, N.R. Burger Middle School and Hattiesburg Steam Academy, tend to perform below the state averages on standardized tests, particularly in English Language Arts, suggesting a need to focus on improving academic outcomes at the middle school level.

The data also reveals disparities in test scores across the district, with some schools excelling in certain subjects while struggling in others. Additionally, the consistently high free and reduced-price lunch rates across all schools, combined with the predominantly African American student population, raise questions about equity and access to educational opportunities within the Hattiesburg Public School District. Further analysis may be needed to understand the underlying factors contributing to these patterns and identify strategies to address the challenges faced by the lower-performing schools.