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Central Elementary

Summary:

Central Elementary is a public elementary school located in Gulfport, Mississippi, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 480. The school is part of the Gulfport School District, which is ranked 41 out of 130 districts in Mississippi and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Central Elementary has a significantly higher percentage of African American (67.5%) and Hispanic (12.5%) students compared to the state average, its academic performance is consistently lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 41.8% of 3rd graders, 39.3% of 4th graders, and 47.6% of 5th graders were proficient or better in ELA, compared to the district averages of 65.1%, 64.7%, and 64.5%, respectively. In Mathematics, the proficiency rates were even lower, with only 20.3% of 3rd graders, 28.6% of 4th graders, and 30.5% of 5th graders being proficient or better, compared to the district averages of 57.7%, 61.6%, and 55.2%.

When compared to nearby schools in the Gulfport School District, such as Anniston Avenue Elementary, Central Elementary's academic performance is significantly lower across all grade levels and subject areas. This suggests that the challenges faced by Central Elementary may be unique to the school and its student population, which is over 99% economically disadvantaged. By addressing these challenges through targeted interventions and evidence-based instructional strategies, the school and district can work to provide a more equitable and high-quality education for all students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1043 Pass Road
       Gulfport, MS  39501

(228) 865-4642

District: Gulfport School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
313th of 390 Mississippi Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,417 Help


Students who attend Central Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Gulfport Central Middle School
High:    Gulfport High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.4 Help
Number of students:  498

Racial breakdown:

African American:
62.9%
White:
16.7%
Hispanic:
11.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  99.4% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Central Elementary ranks worse than 80.3% of elementary schools in Mississippi. It also ranks last among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Gulfport School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.39. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (62.9%), White (16.7%), Hispanic (11%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 99.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Elementary is 14.4. 4 elementary schools in the Gulfport School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Central Elementary employs 34.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Elementary is $10,417. 4 elementary schools in the Gulfport School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Central Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Gulfport School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Gulfport School District 41st of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Central Elementary.

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Rank History for Central Elementary

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2008 43.41 241st 394 38.8%
2009 50.34 201st 392 48.7%
2010 43.19 246th 403 39.0%
2011 47.91 230th 418 45.0%
2012 30.34 317th 414 23.4%
2015 32.74 271st 402 32.6%
2016 29.51 276th 394 29.9%
2017 32.87 283rd 406 30.3%
2018 54.95 181st 404 55.2%
2019 50.81 203rd 397 48.9%
2021 37.71 230th 381 39.6%
2022 40.77 225th 382 41.1%
2023 27.58 290th 377 23.1%
2024 23.39 313th 390 19.7%
See the entire list of Mississippi Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Mississippi Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Central Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.9)
91%

9%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a teacher
Friday, April 12, 2013

Open Quote The Gulfport School District makes decisions based on what is best for children. We inspire students to become productive citizens and life long learners. What a great school district for students to attend when the attention is placed on their success. Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote The data that is on this website is misleading. The teachers and the students work so hard at succeeding. I am a teacher here and I know my students are more prepared for the next grade more than they have ever been! Common Core is a new and tough Curriculum and I think our students are doing amazing jobs! Do NOT let this data get in the way of sending your child here! Ask anyone and they will tell you the wonderful things that are going on at Central Elementary! Go Pirates!!! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote These teachers work tirelessly to ensure that their students are receiving the appropriate instruction and learning what they need in order to be successful. They tend to the physical, mental, and social needs of their students without asking any questions and love their children unconditionally. Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote Central Elementary has a great learning environment for all students. The teachers and staff work really hard to help each student strive to be the best they can be. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote I work at central elementary and I love the kids and every part of my job from ordering food to serving and also working with the staff. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote I work at this school and love interacting with the children and staff. Close Quote


by a citizen
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote I am employed in the cafeteria at this school and I love my job because I enjoy the children. Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, April 11, 2013

Open Quote The Gulfport schools have been blazing the trail for the state of MS by being the only school district in the state to fully implement the Common Core State Standards on behalf of the state department of ed. The teachers have received statewide and local notoriety for their efforts. Two members of the instructional department were selected to serve on the state's national PARCC team. Our district is progressive; for example, all 9th-10th grade students have been provided en e-reader to lighten the load of the book bags. Other technological advances are being made available to our teachers, students, and principals. All core classes have interactive whiteboards. We have redesigned our high school to give students career-based opportunities and early college experience during their junior and senior years. The arts are important to developing a well-rounded student. Our music programs (band, choir, and strings) are among the best in the country and world! How do I know? We continue to win sweepstakes awards each year and have been invited to Disney and Germany to showcase our talents! Athletics? We are the home of state champions in soccer, basketball, and weight lifting. Our Marine ROTC teaches leadership and continues to win state and regional competitions as well. We hold ourselves and our students to high levels of excellence. Gulfport is a great education destination!

SN: Those of us who work for the district may bring our children with us if we live out of district. I'm proud to say, we chose GSD. Best decision we could have made. My children's feeder pattern: West-Gulfport Central Middle-Gulfport High led my sons to honors programs and academic scholarships. This school is no exception! High standards coupled with hard work leads to a successful child. Close Quote


by a citizen
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Open Quote This school adheres to all the strict requirements of the USDA when preparing/serving their meals. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Open Quote This school has some great teachers! Close Quote


by a teacher
Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Open Quote In 2011, the Mississippi Department of Education selected the Gulfport School District as one of three school districts to participate in a pilot program called Excellence for All. As part of this program, selected school districts were given the opportunity to develop innovative programs for their students that would prepare them to compete on a national and global setting in the core subjects as well as improve students' career and college readiness. Due to a major shift from Mississippi Curriculum Standards to Common Core State Standards, the data on this site does not reflect this shift. Please see the Gulfport School District's website to see actual testing information for the Gulfport School District. (You may also sign up to follow us on Twitter.)

A highly functional school district, the District's selection as a pilot program represents the progressive and passionate commitment to be internationally competitive as the community and district work to meet the mission of the Gulfport School District.

The mission of the Gulfport School District is to inspire each student to become a problem solver, lifelong learner, and productive member of society. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Central Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1990 282 377 2 3 1 n/a n/a 0 665
1991 286 392 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 681
1992 261 354 8 0 0 n/a n/a 0 623
1993 265 361 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 634
1994 275 381 0 9 0 n/a n/a 0 665
1995 209 332 0 13 1 n/a n/a 0 555
1996 209 332 0 13 1 n/a n/a 0 555
1997 187 343 0 11 0 n/a n/a 0 541
1998 176 372 7 6 2 n/a n/a 0 563
1999 164 350 9 10 1 n/a n/a 0 534
2000 157 342 4 10 1 n/a n/a 0 514
2001 131 370 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 507
2002 143 376 5 10 0 n/a n/a 0 534
2003 143 376 5 10 0 n/a n/a 0 534
2004 121 364 8 10 2 n/a n/a 0 505
2005 123 308 5 8 2 n/a n/a 0 446
2006 76 174 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 256
2007 104 347 3 22 0 n/a n/a 0 476
2008 98 334 6 25 2 n/a n/a 0 465
2009 92 350 4 24 0 0 0 0 470
2010 89 234 2 22 0 0 0 0 347
2011 103 204 0 29 0 3 0 0 339
2012 83 212 0 30 0 0 0 0 325
2013 99 218 0 33 1 0 4 0 355
2014 105 238 0 20 0 0 31 0 394
2015 104 274 0 21 1 0 27 0 427
2016 108 300 1 22 2 4 27 0 464
2017 94 337 4 38 4 0 17 0 494
2018 90 330 2 35 1 0 27 0 485
2019 85 346 1 36 0 1 14 0 483
2020 86 331 0 45 0 2 19 0 483
2021 61 240 1 44 0 1 10 0 357
2022 77 336 1 63 0 2 27 0 506
2023 68 324 2 60 0 2 24 0 480
2024 83 313 2 55 7 1 37 0 498

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Central Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 665 34.0 19.5 n/a
1991 681 35.0 19.4 n/a
1992 623 32.2 19.3 51.8
1993 634 31.2 20.3 54.9
1994 665 33.8 19.7 54.9
1995 555 34.6 16.0 56.6
1996 555 34.6 16.0 56.6
1997 541 33.6 16.1 56.6
1998 563 34.9 16.1 58.1
1999 534 34.5 15.5 64.4
2000 514 34.2 15.0 60.9
2001 507 38.3 13.2 65.1
2002 534 38.1 14.0 66.9
2003 534 38.1 14.0 66.9
2004 505 35.2 14.3 89.3
2005 446 33.6 13.3 94.2
2006 256 9.2 27.8 98.8
2007 476 32.0 14.9 98.5
2008 465 30.3 15.3 95.5
2009 470 29.7 15.8 91.1
2010 347 21.6 16.0 96.3
2011 339 20.0 16.8 95.6
2012 325 21.3 15.2 95.7
2013 355 20.6 17.1 96.6
2014 394 18.7 20.9 97.2
2015 427 21.0 20.3 97.4
2016 464 24.0 19.3 97.2
2017 494 25.2 19.5 93.9
2018 485 25.4 19.0 96.7
2019 483 28.3 17.0 96.3
2020 483 22.0 21.8 97.5
2021 357 27.5 12.9 99.2
2022 506 22.1 22.8 99.4
2023 480 36.3 13.1 100
2024 498 34.5 14.4 99.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Central Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 665 34.0 19.5 n/a
1991 681 35.0 19.4 n/a
1992 623 32.2 19.3 51.8
1993 634 31.2 20.3 54.9
1994 665 33.8 19.7 54.9
1995 555 34.6 16.0 56.6
1996 555 34.6 16.0 56.6
1997 541 33.6 16.1 56.6
1998 563 34.9 16.1 58.1
1999 534 34.5 15.5 64.4
2000 514 34.2 15.0 60.9
2001 507 38.3 13.2 65.1
2002 534 38.1 14.0 66.9
2003 534 38.1 14.0 66.9
2004 505 35.2 14.3 89.3
2005 446 33.6 13.3 94.2
2006 256 9.2 27.8 98.8
2007 476 32.0 14.9 98.5
2008 465 30.3 15.3 95.5
2009 470 29.7 15.8 91.1
2010 347 21.6 16.0 96.3
2011 339 20.0 16.8 95.6
2012 325 21.3 15.2 95.7
2013 355 20.6 17.1 96.6
2014 394 18.7 20.9 97.2
2015 427 21.0 20.3 97.4
2016 464 24.0 19.3 97.2
2017 494 25.2 19.5 93.9
2018 485 25.4 19.0 96.7
2019 483 28.3 17.0 96.3
2020 483 22.0 21.8 97.5
2021 357 27.5 12.9 99.2
2022 506 22.1 22.8 99.4
2023 480 36.3 13.1 100
2024 498 34.5 14.4 99.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Central Elementary

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YearTotal Expenditures Per Pupil
2017 $8,865
2018 $9,017
2019 $8,971
2020 $12,926
2021 $9,352
2022 $10,417

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Central Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 203rd of 397 Elementary schoolsRanks 290th of 377 Elementary schools
 25.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary)47.234.4
 12.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Gulfport School District)59.964.1
 4.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)48.351.6
 3.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary)52.847.8
 5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Gulfport School District)65.469.5
 4.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)51.454.8
 3.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary)41.841.1
 0.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Gulfport School District)55.661.9
 6.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)48.553.4
 4.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary)46.337
 9.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Gulfport School District)6163.8
 2.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)48.856.7
 7.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary)46.346.9
 0.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Gulfport School District)50.463.7
 13.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)4351.9
 8.9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Central Elementary)24.421.7
 2.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Gulfport School District)46.345.5
 0.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)38.944.3
 5.4%
5th Grade Science (Central Elementary)54.337.3
 17%
   5th Grade Science (Gulfport School District)61.164
 2.9%
   5th Grade Science (Mississippi)55.964.3
 8.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students483480
 0.6%
African American346324
 6.4%
American Indian00
Asian12
 100%
Hispanic3660
 66.7%
Pacific Islander12
 100%
White8568
 20%
Two or More Races1424
 71.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients96.3%100%
 3.7%

Schools Near Central Elementary








Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary

Students at Central Elementary are 63% African American, 17% White, 11% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 1% American Indian.

Students who attend Central Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Gulfport Central Middle School
High : Gulfport High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 498 students attended Central Elementary.

Central Elementary ranks in the bottom 19.7% of Mississippi elementary schools.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Mississippi Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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