Lester Elementary School

Summary:

Lester Elementary School is a public elementary school in Jackson, Mississippi, serving 187 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Jackson Public School District, which is ranked 110 out of 130 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating.

Lester Elementary School stands out for its significantly higher percentage of African American students (94.12%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 76% to 98.55% African American. Academically, the school has consistently low performance, with proficiency rates well below the district and state averages. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 7.9% of 3rd graders, 3.6% of 4th graders, and 28% of 5th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district averages of 36.5%, 35.6%, and 36.9%, respectively. Lester Elementary School has been ranked among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Mississippi, with a ranking of 388 out of 390 schools in the 2023-2024 school year and a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While the nearby schools in the Jackson Public School District also struggle with low academic performance, Lester Elementary School consistently ranks among the lowest-performing schools in the district and the state. For example, Barack H. Obama Elementary School, which is located within the same district, ranked 17 out of 390 schools in the 2023-2024 school year, demonstrating a stark contrast in academic achievement. The high percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunch at Lester Elementary School suggests that the school serves a population with significant economic challenges, which may contribute to the low academic performance.

Detail:

Public K-5

2350 Oakhurst Drive
Jackson, MS 39204

(601) 371-4339

District: Jackson Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
388^th of 390 Mississippi Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,077

Students who attend Lester Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Bailey Middle Apac School
	Northwest Middle School
	Peeples Middle School
High:	Jim Hill High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.6

Number of students: 187

Racial breakdown:

African American:

94.1%

Two or more races:

3.7%

White:

1.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated Mississippi elementary schools

Compare Lester Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Lester Elementary School ranks worse than 99.5% of elementary schools in Mississippi. It also ranks 27^th among 28 ranked elementary schools in the Jackson Public School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 2.89. (See more...)

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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (94.1%), two or more races (3.7%), White (1.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lester Elementary School is 12.6, which is the 11^th best among 28 elementary schools in the Jackson Public School District. (See more...)

Compare Lester Elementary School employs 14.7 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lester Elementary School is $15,077, which is the 2^nd highest among 28 elementary schools in the Jackson Public School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Jackson Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Jackson Public School District 110^th of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Lester Elementary School.

What do you think?

Your rating for Lester Elementary School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Lester Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MS State Percentile
2008	45.50	232^nd	394	41.1%
2009	46.49	226^th	392	42.3%
2010	43.44	243^rd	403	39.7%
2011	29.41	328^th	418	21.5%
2012	26.66	337^th	414	18.6%
2013	32.95	298^th	408	27.0%
2014	21.16	343^rd	394	12.9%
2015	13.18	388^th	402	3.5%
2016	13.24	370^th	394	6.1%
2017	18.87	347^th	406	14.5%
2018	31.86	284^th	404	29.7%
2019	45.22	224^th	397	43.6%
2021	28.27	260^th	381	31.8%
2022	70.41	107^th	382	72.0%
2024	2.89	388^th	390	0.5%

See the entire list of Mississippi Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, October 7, 2009

My children have to walk home in a busy and not-so-safe area. My oldest son's performance has spiraled downward since he enrolled here. The teacher took away their recess because they had "too much work". The teachers are rude to the students. Also there are no extra activities (i.e. football, basketball, etc.) to motivate the children. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Lester Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1990	158	197	1	0	0	n/a	n/a	356
1991	162	209	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	373
1992	125	175	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	300
1993	122	175	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	297
1994	92	168	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	260
1995	75	236	0	1	3	n/a	n/a	315
1996	75	236	0	1	3	n/a	n/a	315
1997	87	291	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	382
1998	72	321	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	398
1999	56	294	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	353
2000	44	345	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	389
2001	35	362	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	398
2002	28	353	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	381
2003	28	353	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	381
2004	19	305	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	324
2005	10	311	0	0	1	n/a	n/a	322
2006	13	306	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	319
2007	7	305	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	312
2008	12	327	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	339
2009	13	316	0	0	0	0	0	329
2010	11	321	0	0	0	0	0	332
2011	4	337	0	0	0	0	1	342
2012	6	265	0	0	0	0	0	271
2013	7	348	0	1	0	0	4	360
2014	8	346	0	2	0	0	3	359
2015	7	383	0	2	0	0	0	392
2016	11	368	0	1	0	0	4	384
2017	5	374	0	1	0	0	5	385
2018	6	352	0	6	0	0	5	369
2019	8	295	0	4	0	0	2	309
2020	3	233	0	2	0	0	4	242
2021	2	183	0	0	0	0	4	189
2022	0	155	0	0	0	0	4	159
2023	3	176	0	0	1	0	7	187

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 Lester Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	356	18.2	19.5	n/a
1991	373	17.0	21.9	n/a
1992	300	16.0	18.7	61
1993	297	18.1	16.4	63.3
1994	260	17.0	15.3	63.5
1995	315	14.3	22.0	64.8
1996	315	14.3	22.0	64.8
1997	382	18.7	20.4	69.6
1998	398	18.7	21.3	69.1
1999	353	22.0	16.0	77.9
2000	389	20.8	18.7	78.7
2001	398	21.5	18.5	81.2
2002	381	20.4	18.7	82.9
2003	381	20.4	18.7	82.9
2004	324	20.2	16.0	88.3
2005	322	20.3	15.9	73.9
2006	319	17.4	18.3	89.7
2007	312	19.8	15.8	89.7
2008	339	17.5	19.4	93.2
2009	329	16.6	19.8	93.6
2010	332	17.4	18.9	94.3
2011	342	16.3	20.9	96.5
2012	271	15.0	17.9	94.8
2013	360	18.7	19.2	97.5
2014	359	19.7	18.1	98.6
2015	392	21.0	18.6	100
2016	384	22.0	17.4	100
2017	385	17.3	22.2	100
2018	369	20.3	18.1	100
2019	309	16.4	18.8	100
2020	242	16.1	15.0	100
2021	189	13.8	13.6	100
2022	159	12.4	12.7	100
2023	187	14.7	12.6	100

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 Lester Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	356	18.2	19.5	n/a
1991	373	17.0	21.9	n/a
1992	300	16.0	18.7	61
1993	297	18.1	16.4	63.3
1994	260	17.0	15.3	63.5
1995	315	14.3	22.0	64.8
1996	315	14.3	22.0	64.8
1997	382	18.7	20.4	69.6
1998	398	18.7	21.3	69.1
1999	353	22.0	16.0	77.9
2000	389	20.8	18.7	78.7
2001	398	21.5	18.5	81.2
2002	381	20.4	18.7	82.9
2003	381	20.4	18.7	82.9
2004	324	20.2	16.0	88.3
2005	322	20.3	15.9	73.9
2006	319	17.4	18.3	89.7
2007	312	19.8	15.8	89.7
2008	339	17.5	19.4	93.2
2009	329	16.6	19.8	93.6
2010	332	17.4	18.9	94.3
2011	342	16.3	20.9	96.5
2012	271	15.0	17.9	94.8
2013	360	18.7	19.2	97.5
2014	359	19.7	18.1	98.6
2015	392	21.0	18.6	100
2016	384	22.0	17.4	100
2017	385	17.3	22.2	100
2018	369	20.3	18.1	100
2019	309	16.4	18.8	100
2020	242	16.1	15.0	100
2021	189	13.8	13.6	100
2022	159	12.4	12.7	100
2023	187	14.7	12.6	100

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 Lester Elementary School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$7,601
2018	$8,601
2019	$9,868
2020	$12,406
2021	$12,764
2022	$15,077

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lester Elementary School

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 Pandemic (2021-2022)	Change (%)
Ranks 224^th of 397 Elementary schools	Ranks 107^th of 382 Elementary schools	28.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Pandemic (2021-2022)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Lester Elementary School)	44.1	82.2	38.1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Jackson Public School District)	36.1	34.1	2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	48.3	46.4	1.9%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Lester Elementary School)	15.3	65.5	50.2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Jackson Public School District)	25.9	23.6	2.3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.4	49.5	1.9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Lester Elementary School)	73.8	40	33.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Jackson Public School District)	32.6	25	7.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	48.5	43.8	4.7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Lester Elementary School)	33.3	43.3	10%
4th Grade Mathematics (Jackson Public School District)	27	17.9	9.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	48.8	45.5	3.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Lester Elementary School)	73.1	67.9	5.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Jackson Public School District)	33.2	32.2	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	43	46.5	3.5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Lester Elementary School)	23.1	17.9	5.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Jackson Public School District)	25.6	13.6	12%
5th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	38.9	36.6	2.3%
5th Grade Science (Lester Elementary School)	40.3	85.7	45.4%
5th Grade Science (Jackson Public School District)	44.2	42.1	2.1%
5th Grade Science (Mississippi)	55.9	58.1	2.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	309	187	39.5%
African American	295	176	40.3%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	4	0	100%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	8	3	62.5%
Two or More Races	2	7	250%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Lester Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				MAAP English Language Arts (2024)			MAAP Mathematics (2024)			MAAP Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	MAAP English Language Arts 3rd Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 4th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 3rd Grade	MAAP Mathematics 4th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Science 5th Grade	Total
Lester Elementary School	Public	K-5	2350 Oakhurst Drive	Jackson	39204	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4339	187	15	12.6	100.0%	3 (1.6%)	176 (94.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.7%)	2.9	388^th of 390 public elementary schools	0.5%					(n/a)	7.9	3.6	28.0	2.6	7.1	8.0	40.0	$15,077
Key Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	699 W. McDowell Road	Jackson	39204	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4333	199	16	12.8	100.0%	2 (1.0%)	195 (98.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15.1	347^th of 390 public elementary schools	11.0%		47.4	193^rd of 377 public elementary schools	48.8%	154	35.9	32.1	39.3	20.5	10.7	25.0	57.2	$13,416
Isable Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1716 Isable Street	Jackson	39204	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 960-5310	269	21	12.6	100.0%	1 (0.4%)	256 (95.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.5%)	11	364^th of 390 public elementary schools	6.7%		18.5	329^th of 377 public elementary schools	12.7%	35	31.3	20.0	35.3	12.5	15.0	41.2	58.9	$14,254
Wilkins Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1970 Castle Hill Drive	Jackson	39204	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4306	316	23	14.0	100.0%	4 (1.3%)	304 (96.2%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	2.9	389^th of 390 public elementary schools	0.3%		34	261^st of 377 public elementary schools	30.8%	128	25.8	9.8	17.1	9.7	8.0	8.6	28.6	$12,816
Sykes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3555 Simpson Street	Jackson	39212	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4303	325	23	14.3	100.0%	1 (0.3%)	247 (76.0%)	70 (21.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.2%)	11.8	361^st of 390 public elementary schools	7.4%		19.8	322^nd of 377 public elementary schools	14.6%	39	28.1	36.6	36.8	10.6	30.8	12.3	44.9	$12,869
Marshall Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2909 Oak Forest Drive	Jackson	39212	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4342	207	15	13.9	100.0%	1 (0.5%)	204 (98.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)	3	387^th of 390 public elementary schools	0.8%		7.6	368^th of 377 public elementary schools	2.4%	19	24.1	18.5	21.7	0.0	7.4	13.0	26.0	$13,336
Shirley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	330 Judy Street	Jackson	39212	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4336	174	15	11.8	100.0%	6 (3.4%)	161 (92.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.0%)	10.7	367^th of 390 public elementary schools	5.9%					(n/a)	37.5	20.0	25.8	22.5	29.3	25.8	38.8	$13,825
Clausell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3330 Harley Street	Jackson	39209	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 960-5319	231	19	12.0	100.0%	1 (0.4%)	224 (97.0%)	4 (1.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	29.5	279^th of 390 public elementary schools	28.5%		33.7	265^th of 377 public elementary schools	29.7%	14	45.9	58.8	32.4	37.8	41.2	14.7	58.9	$13,661
Oak Forest Elementary School	Public	K-5	1831 Smallwood Drive	Jackson	39212	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4330	318	22	14.5	100.0%	3 (0.9%)	308 (96.9%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.6%)	19.8	334^th of 390 public elementary schools	14.4%		16.3	333^rd of 377 public elementary schools	11.7%	1	20.0	39.0	37.8	7.7	39.0	37.8	64.8	$13,312
Pecan Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	415 Claiborne Avenue	Jackson	39209	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 960-5444	463	31	14.7	100.0%	1 (0.2%)	391 (84.4%)	69 (14.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	7.7	379^th of 390 public elementary schools	2.8%		15.2	337^th of 377 public elementary schools	10.6%	42	32.2	25.4	27.5	21.4	15.9	17.5	40.0	$12,487

Frequently Asked Questions about Lester Elementary School

Is Lester Elementary School a good school?

Lester Elementary School ranks in the bottom 0.5% of Mississippi elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Lester Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Lester Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bailey Middle Apac School
Middle : Northwest Middle School
Middle : Peeples Middle School
High : Jim Hill High School

What is the racial makeup of Lester Elementary School?

Students at Lester Elementary School are 94% African American, 4% Two or more races, 2% White.

How many students attend Lester Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 187 students attended Lester Elementary School.

What district is Lester Elementary School in?

Jackson Public School District

Rate Lester Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MSMississippi Elementary School Rankings

MSMississippi District Rankings

Schools in Jackson, MS

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Lester Elementary School!

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.