Pearl Junior High School

Q: Is Pearl Junior High School a good school?

Pearl Junior High School ranks 130 th of 264 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Pearl Junior High School is a public middle school located in Pearl, Mississippi, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,001 students. The school is part of the Rankin County School District, which is ranked 44 out of 130 districts in Mississippi and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Pearl Junior High School has a relatively balanced racial makeup, with 43.36% White, 41.56% African American, and 7.39% Hispanic students. This diversity is higher compared to many of the nearby schools, such as Powell Middle School and Kirksey Middle School, which tend to have a more homogeneous student population. Despite the high percentage of economically disadvantaged students (around 99.7% receiving free or reduced-price lunch), Pearl Junior High School has maintained a consistent level of academic performance, ranking in the top half of Mississippi middle schools for the past 10 years. This suggests the school is effectively supporting its students and providing a quality education.

When compared to the nearby schools in the Jackson Public School District, Pearl Junior High School generally outperforms them on state assessments, particularly in mathematics and science. The school has also achieved a 100% proficiency rate on the Algebra I end-of-course assessment for the past two years, significantly outpacing the district and state averages. As the school's demographics continue to shift, with a declining percentage of White and African American students, it will be important for the district and school leadership to closely monitor and adapt their strategies to ensure all students continue to receive a high-quality education.

Detail:

Public 6-8

200 Mary Ann Drive
Pearl, MS 39208

(601) 932-7952

District: Pearl Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
130^th of 264 Mississippi Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,631

Students who attend Pearl Junior High School usually attend:

High:

Pearl High School

Feeder schools for Pearl Junior High School:

Elementary:	Northside Elementary School
	Pearl Lower Elementary School
	Pearl Upper School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.4

Number of students: 1,001

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.4%

African American:

41.6%

Hispanic:

7.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 99.7%

See top rated Mississippi middle schools

Compare Pearl Junior High School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Pearl Junior High School ranks better than 50.8% of middle schools in Mississippi. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.45. (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: White (43.4%), African American (41.6%), Hispanic (7.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 99.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Pearl Junior High School is 14.4. (See more...)

Compare Pearl Junior High School employs 69.1 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pearl Junior High School is $9,631.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Pearl Junior High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Pearl Junior High School 130^th of 264 Mississippi public middle schools. (See Pearl Junior High School in the ranking list.)

Pearl Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Pearl Public School District 44^th of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Pearl Junior High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MS State Percentile
2011	70.24	69^th	264	73.9%
2012	73.67	64^th	270	76.3%
2013	69.65	77^th	269	71.4%
2014	60.96	99^th	264	62.5%
2015	65.85	72^nd	266	72.9%
2016	75.12	57^th	260	78.1%
2017	77.18	51^st	272	81.3%
2018	70.16	72^nd	252	71.4%
2019	72.02	66^th	264	75.0%
2021	71.54	69^th	257	73.2%
2022	61.34	104^th	257	59.5%
2023	53.06	106^th	243	56.4%
2024	50.45	130^th	264	50.8%

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

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Enrollment information for Pearl Junior High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2010	556	299	6	51	0	0	2	914
2011	525	306	5	66	0	0	0	902
2012	550	315	6	59	0	0	4	934
2013	551	315	8	67	0	0	8	949
2014	532	329	9	69	0	1	11	951
2015	519	324	11	71	0	0	11	936
2016	512	330	15	70	0	1	21	949
2017	484	333	19	58	0	0	35	929
2018	467	329	16	59	0	3	39	913
2019	493	362	13	68	0	3	49	988
2020	545	387	10	83	1	4	49	1079
2021	495	410	13	85	1	2	52	1058
2022	460	395	8	78	0	5	47	993
2023	434	416	5	74	0	6	66	1001

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 Pearl Junior High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	914	69.2	13.1	61.2
2011	902	63.8	14.1	63.6
2012	934	63.0	14.8	66.9
2013	949	64.2	14.7	64.1
2014	951	62.9	15.0	64
2015	936	64.0	14.6	63.1
2016	949	60.0	15.8	66.2
2017	929	61.5	15.0	66.3
2018	913	58.9	15.4	67.3
2019	988	59.9	16.4	69.4
2020	1079	63.4	16.9	67.3
2021	1058	71.8	14.7	99.7
2022	993	72.0	13.7	99.7
2023	1001	69.1	14.4	99.7

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 Pearl Junior High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	914	69.2	13.1	61.2
2011	902	63.8	14.1	63.6
2012	934	63.0	14.8	66.9
2013	949	64.2	14.7	64.1
2014	951	62.9	15.0	64
2015	936	64.0	14.6	63.1
2016	949	60.0	15.8	66.2
2017	929	61.5	15.0	66.3
2018	913	58.9	15.4	67.3
2019	988	59.9	16.4	69.4
2020	1079	63.4	16.9	67.3
2021	1058	71.8	14.7	99.7
2022	993	72.0	13.7	99.7
2023	1001	69.1	14.4	99.7

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 Pearl Junior High School

Year	Total Expenditures Per Pupil
2017	$7,120
2018	$6,853
2019	$6,825
2020	$7,238
2021	$8,125
2022	$9,631

Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Pearl Junior High 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 66^th of 264 Middle schools	Ranks 106^th of 243 Middle schools	18.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl Junior High School)	36.8	40.8	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl Public School District)	36.8	40.8	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	33.6	40.3	6.7%
6th Grade Mathematics (Pearl Junior High School)	46	40.5	5.5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Pearl Public School District)	46	40.5	5.5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	47.6	45.5	2.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl Junior High School)	46.2	34.4	11.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl Public School District)	46.2	34.4	11.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	39	40.2	1.2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Pearl Junior High School)	62.1	46.5	15.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Pearl Public School District)	62.1	46.5	15.6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	51.1	55.6	4.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl Junior High School)	47.1	45	2.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Pearl Public School District)	47.1	45	2.1%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Mississippi)	35.5	40.5	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Pearl Junior High School)	57.2	43.1	14.1%
8th Grade Mathematics (Pearl Public School District)	57.2	43.1	14.1%
8th Grade Mathematics (Mississippi)	44.8	46.1	1.3%
8th Grade Science (Pearl Junior High School)	60.6	53.7	6.9%
8th Grade Science (Pearl Public School District)	60.6	53.7	6.9%
8th Grade Science (Mississippi)	52.7	53.3	0.6%
End of Course Algebra I (Pearl Junior High School)	100	100
End of Course Algebra I (Pearl Public School District)	52.6	70.6	18%
End of Course Algebra I (Mississippi)	49.3	65.8	16.5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	988	1001	1.3%
African American	362	416	14.9%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	13	5	61.5%
Hispanic	68	74	8.8%
Pacific Islander	3	6	100%
White	493	434	12%
Two or More Races	49	66	34.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	69.4%	99.7%	30.3%

Schools Near Pearl Junior High 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
Pearl Junior High School	Public	6-8	200 Mary Ann Drive	Pearl	39208	Rankin County	Pearl Public School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 932-7952	1,001	69	14.4	99.7%	434 (43.4%)	416 (41.6%)	74 (7.4%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.6%)	66 (6.6%)	50.5	130^th of 264 public middle schools	50.8%		53.1	106^th of 243 public middle schools	56.4%	24		38.4	37.9	38.0		47.4	55.8	48.8	100.0		56.8	$9,631
Bailey Middle Apac School	Public	6-8	1900 N State Street	Jackson	39202	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-5343	247	25	10.0	100.0%	13 (5.3%)	225 (91.1%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.0%)	89	23^rd of 264 public middle schools	91.3%		91.1	12^th of 243 public middle schools	95.1%	11		57.1	64.8	70.0		73.6	71.7	63.8	100.0		82.5	$15,190
Blackburn Middle School	Public	6-8	1311 W Pearl Street	Jackson	39203	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 960-5329	614	48	12.8	100.0%	2 (0.3%)	602 (98.0%)	8 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	4.1	261^st of 264 public middle schools	1.1%		6.3	238^th of 243 public middle schools	2.1%	23		9.3	9.5	17.0		8.0	16.7	18.4			24.1	$13,813
Joel E. Smilow Prep	Public, Charter	5-8	787 E. Northside Drive	Jackson	39206	Hinds County	Joel E. Smillow Prep	Yes	No	No	Yes	(769) 524-5330	577	40	14.4	100.0%	3 (0.5%)	574 (99.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24.8	197^th of 264 public middle schools	25.4%		18.2	208^th of 243 public middle schools	14.4%	11	35.2	18.8	24.3	30.7	34.5	10.4	37.3	57.3		67.3	47.6	$11,532
Chastain Middle School	Public	6-8	4650 Manhattan Road	Jackson	39206	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-3550	499	48	10.3	100.0%	11 (2.2%)	457 (91.6%)	24 (4.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.2%)	6.9	254^th of 264 public middle schools	3.8%		16.3	214^th of 243 public middle schools	11.9%	40		12.9	20.7	15.0		17.2	24.5	15.8			24.2	$15,321
Reimagine Prep	Public, Charter	5-8	309 W McDowell Rd	Jackson	39204	Hinds County	Reimagine Prep	Yes	No	No	Yes	(601) 941-0844	514	36	14.3	100.0%	2 (0.4%)	507 (98.6%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	23.9	203^rd of 264 public middle schools	23.1%		16.2	215^th of 243 public middle schools	11.5%	12	25.0	19.0	23.3	31.9	7.6	24.6	44.8	33.9		46.2	53.5	$14,041
Whitten Middle School	Public	6-8	210 Daniel Lake Boulevard	Jackson	39212	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 371-4309	338	28	12.2	100.0%	3 (0.9%)	281 (83.1%)	46 (13.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.4%)	2.4	263^rd of 264 public middle schools	0.4%		10.9	226^th of 243 public middle schools	7.0%	37		8.9	9.4	7.0		9.8	12.0	13.0			14.0	$16,222
Brandon Middle School	Public	6-8	408 South College St.	Brandon	39042	Rankin County	Rankin County School District	No	No	No	No	(601) 825-5998	1,193	93	12.8	99.7%	672 (56.3%)	430 (36.0%)	17 (1.4%)	9 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (5.4%)	89.9	18^th of 264 public middle schools	93.2%		85.3	30^th of 243 public middle schools	87.7%	12		56.0	65.0	62.5		71.4	74.7	77.8	100.0		74.5	$10,715
Peeples Middle School	Public	6-8	2940 Belvedere Drive	Jackson	39212	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 346-5660	298	36	8.3	100.0%	2 (0.7%)	290 (97.3%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	2.4	264^th of 264 public middle schools	0.0%					(n/a)		8.0	8.2	9.1		5.3	13.9	13.9			16.7	$16,823
Powell Middle School	Public	6-8	3655 Livingston Road	Jackson	39213	Hinds County	Jackson Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(601) 987-3580	320	33	9.7	100.0%	1 (0.3%)	314 (98.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	3.6	262^nd of 264 public middle schools	0.8%		5.4	241^st of 243 public middle schools	0.8%	21		10.5	15.5	12.9		4.0	14.3	16.7			18.8	$15,619

Frequently Asked Questions about Pearl Junior High School

What district is Pearl Junior High School in?

Pearl Public School District

What high school do graduates of Pearl Junior High School attend?

Students who attend Pearl Junior High School usually go on to attend Pearl High School

Is Pearl Junior High School a good school?

Pearl Junior High School ranks 130^th of 264 Mississippi middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Pearl Junior High School?

Students at Pearl Junior High School are 43% White, 42% African American, 7% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races.

How many students attend Pearl Junior High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,001 students attended Pearl Junior High School.

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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.