Purvis Middle School

Q: Is Purvis Middle School a good school?

Purvis Middle School ranks 50 th of 264 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Purvis Middle School is a public middle school serving grades 6-8 in Purvis, Mississippi, with a student population of 383 as of the 2022-2023 school year. The school is part of the Lamar County School District, which is ranked 23 out of 130 school districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Purvis Middle School consistently outperforms the state average in MAAP (Mississippi Academic Assessment Program) test scores across all grade levels and subject areas. In 2023-2024, the school's proficiency rates were higher than the state average in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. Additionally, Purvis Middle School has maintained a strong ranking among Mississippi middle schools, consistently placing in the top 30-50% over the past several years and earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.5 to 14.3 over the past three school years, which is lower than the nearby Oak Grove Middle School and Petal Middle School.

One notable aspect of Purvis Middle School is its significantly higher percentage of white students (84.07%) compared to the nearby Oak Grove Middle School (40.8%) and Petal Middle School (67.25%). Additionally, the school has an extremely high percentage of students (over 99%) eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Despite these challenges, Purvis Middle School has demonstrated consistently strong academic performance, outpacing the state averages and nearby schools in the Lamar County School District.

Detail:

Public 6-8

213 School Street
Purvis, MS 39475

(601) 794-1068

District: Lamar County School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
50^th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,833

Students who attend Purvis Middle School usually attend:

High:

Purvis High School

Feeder schools for Purvis Middle School:

Elementary:	Purvis Lower Elementary
	Purvis Upper Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 12.5

Number of students: 383

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.1%

African American:

10.2%

Two or more races:

3.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 99.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Purvis Middle School ranks better than 81.1% of middle schools in Mississippi. It also ranks 2^nd among 3 ranked middle schools in the Lamar County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 78.74. (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 Purvis Middle School has the smallest middle school student body size in the Lamar County School District. Racial makeup is: White (84.1%), African American (10.2%), two or more races (3.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 99.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Lamar County School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Purvis Middle School is 12.5, which is the lowest among 3 middle schools in the Lamar County School District! (See more...)

Compare Purvis Middle School employs 30.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Purvis Middle School is $10,833, which is the highest among 3 middle schools in the Lamar County School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

Purvis Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Purvis Middle School 50^th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See Purvis Middle School in the ranking list.)

Lamar County School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Lamar County School District 23^rd of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Purvis Middle School.

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Rank History for Purvis Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2008	68.02	71^st	244	70.9%
2009	61.25	94^th	247	61.9%
2010	66.57	82^nd	255	67.8%
2011	53.13	137^th	264	48.1%
2012	52.67	132^nd	270	51.1%
2013	67.98	82^nd	269	69.5%
2015	77.64	52^nd	266	80.5%
2016	75.34	56^th	260	78.5%
2017	75.72	56^th	272	79.4%
2018	75.03	56^th	252	77.8%
2019	67.23	82^nd	264	68.9%
2021	69.34	76^th	257	70.4%
2022	67.72	81^st	257	68.5%
2023	82.28	36^th	243	85.2%
2024	78.74	50^th	264	81.1%

See the entire list of Mississippi Middle 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: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, April 4, 2012

If I could leave a "negative star" rating, I would. The teachers are not concerned with teaching, the students are not provided text books, the desks were removed from some classrooms with no intention on providing any more, the students have to write in their laps and the administrators are unreachable. The principal is rude and backs her insufficient teachers as they lie their way through parent meetings. Do NOT attend this school if you have a choice. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Purvis Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2002	401	57	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	462
2003	401	57	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	462
2004	408	61	0	9	1	n/a	n/a	479
2005	414	56	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	474
2006	419	59	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	482
2007	389	51	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	446
2008	287	40	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	330
2009	280	40	0	4	0	0	0	324
2010	315	39	0	4	0	0	1	359
2011	349	45	0	3	1	0	5	403
2012	365	40	0	3	0	0	4	412
2013	315	39	0	5	0	0	2	361
2014	319	43	0	5	0	0	5	372
2015	324	37	1	6	1	0	6	375
2016	346	38	1	9	1	0	8	403
2017	343	37	0	11	1	0	12	404
2018	344	37	1	5	0	0	12	399
2019	354	44	2	7	0	0	16	423
2020	356	54	2	7	1	0	14	434
2021	341	51	1	5	2	0	17	417
2022	322	46	1	7	3	0	13	392
2023	322	39	1	7	1	0	13	383

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 Purvis Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	462	31.8	14.5	37.9
2003	462	31.8	14.5	37.9
2004	479	33.7	14.2	52
2005	474	31.5	15.0	49.2
2006	482	32.3	14.9	55.4
2007	446	31.6	14.1	50.9
2008	330	29.0	11.4	48.8
2009	324	24.0	13.5	48.8
2010	359	25.3	14.1	52.1
2011	403	28.9	13.9	51.1
2012	412	27.1	15.1	50.7
2013	361	28.3	12.7	52.1
2014	372	27.5	13.4	54.8
2015	375	28.0	13.3	53.1
2016	403	29.0	13.8	60.3
2017	404	27.5	14.6	59.4
2018	399	26.2	15.2	57.9
2019	423	27.7	15.2	56.5
2020	434	27.5	15.7	52.8
2021	417	29.1	14.3	99.3
2022	392	29.2	13.4	99.2
2023	383	30.5	12.5	99.2

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 Purvis Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	462	31.8	14.5	37.9
2003	462	31.8	14.5	37.9
2004	479	33.7	14.2	52
2005	474	31.5	15.0	49.2
2006	482	32.3	14.9	55.4
2007	446	31.6	14.1	50.9
2008	330	29.0	11.4	48.8
2009	324	24.0	13.5	48.8
2010	359	25.3	14.1	52.1
2011	403	28.9	13.9	51.1
2012	412	27.1	15.1	50.7
2013	361	28.3	12.7	52.1
2014	372	27.5	13.4	54.8
2015	375	28.0	13.3	53.1
2016	403	29.0	13.8	60.3
2017	404	27.5	14.6	59.4
2018	399	26.2	15.2	57.9
2019	423	27.7	15.2	56.5
2020	434	27.5	15.7	52.8
2021	417	29.1	14.3	99.3
2022	392	29.2	13.4	99.2
2023	383	30.5	12.5	99.2

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 Purvis Middle School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$7,022
2018	$6,858
2019	$6,924
2020	$8,131
2021	$9,268
2022	$10,833

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Purvis Middle 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 Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 82^nd of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 36^th of 243 Middle schools	16.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Purvis Middle School)	33.3	44.4	11.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Lamar County School District)	44.8	46.7	1.9%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	33.6	40.3	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Purvis Middle School)	51.1	56.7	5.6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Lamar County School District)	65	55.9	9.1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	47.6	45.5	2.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Purvis Middle School)	35.9	47	11.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lamar County School District)	47.6	49.3	1.7%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Purvis Middle School)	63.3	79.5	16.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lamar County School District)	65.7	69.9	4.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Purvis Middle School)	53.2	54.9	1.7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lamar County School District)	50.9	54	3.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	35.5	40.5	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Purvis Middle School)	47.6	71.1	23.5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lamar County School District)	61.4	67.8	6.4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	44.8	46.1	1.3%
8th Grade Science (Purvis Middle School)	59	67.6	8.6%
8th Grade Science (Lamar County School District)	61.3	62.2	0.9%
8th Grade Science (Mississippi)	52.7	53.3	0.6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	423	383	9.5%
African American	44	39	11.4%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	2	1	50%
Hispanic	7	7
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	354	322	9%
Two or More Races	16	13	18.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	56.5%	99.2%	42.7%

Schools Near Purvis Middle 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 Algebra I (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 5th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 6th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 7th Grade	MAAP English Language Arts 8th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 5th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 6th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 7th Grade	MAAP Mathematics 8th Grade	MAAP Algebra I End of Course	MAAP Science 5th Grade	MAAP Science 8th Grade	Total
Purvis Middle School	Public	6-8	213 School Street	Purvis	39475	Lamar County	Lamar County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 794-1068	383	31	12.5	99.2%	322 (84.1%)	39 (10.2%)	7 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.4%)	78.7	50^th of 264 public middle schools	81.1%		82.3	36^th of 243 public middle schools	85.2%	14		41.7	50.4	53.8		57.5	81.7	81.5			65.4	$10,833
Oak Grove Middle School	Public	6-8	2543 Old Hwy.24	Hattiesburg	39402	Forrest County	Lamar County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 264-4634	1,294	93	13.9	99.8%	528 (40.8%)	566 (43.7%)	95 (7.3%)	34 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.2%)	68 (5.3%)	75.5	56^th of 264 public middle schools	78.8%		80	43^rd of 243 public middle schools	82.3%	13		52.5	49.7	53.2		58.4	63.0	70.4	100.0		61.4	$9,983
Hattiesburg Steam Academy	Public	6	176 WSF Tatum Dr.	Hattiesburg	39401	Forrest County	Hattiesburg Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 582-5291	275	20	13.6	100.0%	8 (2.9%)	235 (85.5%)	21 (7.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.0%)								(n/a)		43.0				60.3						$12,649
N R Burger Middle School	Public	7-8	174 Wsf Tatum Drive	Hattiesburg	39401	Forrest County	Hattiesburg Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 582-0536	529	51	10.4	100.0%	9 (1.7%)	458 (86.6%)	46 (8.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.6%)	46	143^rd of 264 public middle schools	45.8%		51	112^th of 243 public middle schools	53.9%	31			36.0	30.9			50.0	56.0			55.8	$14,390
Petal Upper Elementary School	Public	5-6	400 Hillcrest Loop	Petal	39465	Forrest County	Petal School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 584-7660	629	46	13.6	99.5%	460 (73.1%)	107 (17.0%)	24 (3.8%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	33 (5.2%)								(n/a)	69.8	58.3			71.0	71.9				77.6		$9,690
Petal Middle School	Public	7-8	203 East Central Avenue	Petal	39465	Forrest County	Petal School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 584-6301	745	48	15.3	99.6%	501 (67.2%)	140 (18.8%)	54 (7.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (6.6%)	93	9^th of 264 public middle schools	96.6%		89.5	19^th of 243 public middle schools	92.2%	10			62.3	60.2			81.3	81.2			78.3	$9,366

Frequently Asked Questions about Purvis Middle School

What high school do graduates of Purvis Middle School attend?

Students who attend Purvis Middle School usually go on to attend Purvis High School

How many students attend Purvis Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 383 students attended Purvis Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Purvis Middle School?

Students at Purvis Middle School are 84% White, 10% African American, 3% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

What district is Purvis Middle School in?

Lamar County School District

Is Purvis Middle School a good school?

Purvis Middle School ranks 50^th of 264 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

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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.