Poplarville Separate School District

The Poplarville Separate School District in Mississippi operates 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. The district serves a predominantly white student population, with over 99% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch programs, indicating significant socioeconomic challenges.

The standout school in the district is Poplarville Junior Senior High School, which has consistently ranked among the top high schools in Mississippi. The school's exceptional test scores, with 95% of students proficient or better in Algebra I, 73.2% in English II, 90.5% in Biology, and 83.8% in U.S. History, demonstrate the district's commitment to academic excellence. In contrast, the elementary and middle schools in the district also perform well, with test scores often exceeding state averages, suggesting a level of consistency in the quality of education provided throughout the district.

Despite the high academic performance, the district faces significant socioeconomic challenges, as evidenced by the extremely high free/reduced lunch rates across all four schools. The variation in spending per student, with the high school receiving the highest funding, suggests that the district is allocating resources strategically to address the unique needs of different grade levels. However, the district may also need to explore strategies for promoting greater racial diversity and inclusion within its schools.