Perry Central High School

Summary:

Perry Central High School is a public high school located in New Augusta, Mississippi, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 278 students. The school is part of the Perry County School District, which is ranked 81 out of 130 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Perry Central High School has a higher percentage of white students (65.83%) compared to the state average, its test scores are generally lower than the state averages across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates were 34.4% in English II, 47.8% in Biology, and 50% in U.S. History, compared to the state averages of 46.2%, 60.6%, and 70.8%, respectively. Additionally, the school has an extremely high percentage of students (over 98%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population. Despite this, the school's spending per student, at $15,364 in the 2018-2019 school year, is significantly higher than the nearby Petal High School ($8,874) and Richton High School ($8,896).

The analysis of Perry Central High School's data reveals several areas of concern, including declining academic performance, a high poverty rate, and a lower ranking compared to nearby schools like Petal High School and Forrest County Agricultural High School. To address these challenges, the school and district may need to focus on improving instructional practices, providing targeted support for economically disadvantaged students, and exploring ways to leverage the school's relatively low student-teacher ratio to enhance the learning environment.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 9899 Hwy 98 East
       New Augusta, MS  39462


(601) 964-3235

District: Perry County School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
162nd of 228 Mississippi High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,364 Help


Feeder schools for Perry Central High School:

Elementary:    Runnelstown Elementary School
    South Perry Elementary School
Middle:    Perry Central Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.6 Help
Number of students:  278

Racial breakdown:

White:
65.8%
African American:
29.5%
Two or more races:
3.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  98.9% Help


 See top rated Mississippi high schools

 Compare Perry Central High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Perry Central High School ranks worse than 71.1% of high schools in Mississippi. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29.4. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Perry Central High School has the largest high school student body size in the Perry County School District. Racial makeup is: White (65.8%), African American (29.5%), two or more races (3.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 98.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Perry County School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Perry Central High School is 12.6. 1 high schools in the Perry County School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Perry Central High School employs 21.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Perry Central High School is $15,364, which is the highest among 3 high schools in the Perry County School District!
Schooldigger Rankings:

Perry Central High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Perry Central High School 162nd of 228 Mississippi public high schools. (See Perry Central High School in the ranking list.)

Perry County School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Perry County School District 81st of 130 Mississippi school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Perry Central High School?

Rank History for Perry Central High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MS State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 52.78 129th 232 44.4%
2005 62.70 92nd 232 60.3%
2006 70.91 48th 232 79.3%
2007 42.85 154th 232 33.6%
2008 61.84 99th 235 57.9%
2009 42.36 152nd 235 35.3%
2010 27.80 183rd 235 22.1%
2011 38.37 161st 244 34.0%
2012 29.46 182nd 241 24.5%
2013 43.38 138th 238 42.0%
2014 38.39 153rd 236 35.2%
2015 33.07 144th 226 36.3%
2016 24.34 176th 231 23.8%
2017 32.54 154th 237 35.0%
2018 62.07 86th 233 63.1%
2019 23.12 183rd 233 21.5%
2021 36.39 145th 231 37.2%
2022 25.92 172nd 228 24.6%
2023 26.49 168th 226 25.7%
2024 29.40 162nd 228 28.9%
See the entire list of Mississippi High School Rankings!

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

Perry Central High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    



Data source: Mississippi Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Thursday, August 25, 2016

Open Quote This school will never prepare your children for their higher education!! If you want them to be educated and have a decent future... do not send them to this school!! Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, August 2, 2013

Open Quote Although this schools test scores are low it is because the teachers teach to ensure the students learn and understand the material taught. Other local schools test to ensure the test scores are high and care less about if the student retains any of the information. The classes are small and the teachers truly care about the students. I am SO glad I enrolled my children in this school rather than the local 5 star school that is so politically ran it is sickening. If you are moving to the area please do not let the test scores scare you away. This is a GREAT school with staff that care about the students. The others care about what church, subdivision you are from and how much money you have. They could care less about the student UNLESS they are rich or attend certain church or live in a few select subdivisions. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Perry Central High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1990 342 205 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 548
1991 264 155 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 420
1992 297 155 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 453
1993 276 184 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 461
1994 278 166 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 445
1995 276 180 0 0 2 n/a n/a 0 458
1996 276 180 0 0 2 n/a n/a 0 458
1997 262 167 0 0 2 n/a n/a 0 431
1998 248 155 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 404
1999 226 141 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 370
2000 234 138 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 372
2001 201 139 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 340
2002 192 146 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2003 192 146 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2004 184 137 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 322
2005 200 142 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 342
2006 215 149 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 364
2007 236 147 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 384
2008 230 156 0 0 1 n/a n/a 0 387
2009 236 148 1 0 1 0 0 0 386
2010 250 141 0 0 1 0 0 0 392
2011 250 136 3 0 2 0 1 0 392
2012 236 131 2 0 0 0 1 0 370
2013 235 122 2 0 0 0 2 0 361
2014 213 116 2 1 0 0 1 0 333
2015 227 118 0 2 0 0 0 0 347
2016 207 103 0 4 0 0 1 0 315
2017 190 99 0 5 0 0 0 0 294
2018 179 94 0 4 0 0 0 0 277
2019 187 81 0 6 0 0 0 0 274
2020 177 91 0 4 0 0 2 0 274
2021 187 86 0 2 0 0 5 0 280
2022 192 97 0 1 0 0 7 0 297
2023 183 82 0 4 0 0 9 0 278

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 Perry Central High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 548 33.5 16.3 n/a
1991 420 24.2 17.3 n/a
1992 453 24.4 18.5 64.2
1993 461 21.9 21.1 64.4
1994 445 22.4 19.9 64.7
1995 458 26.9 17.0 60.9
1996 458 26.9 17.0 60.9
1997 431 24.6 17.5 62.4
1998 404 25.6 15.8 65.1
1999 370 23.0 16.1 74.1
2000 372 24.5 15.2 76.9
2001 340 21.3 16.0 76.2
2002 339 23.1 14.7 76.1
2003 339 23.1 14.7 76.1
2004 322 21.5 15.0 73.9
2005 342 21.7 15.8 70.8
2006 364 23.3 15.6 70.3
2007 384 25.5 15.1 77.1
2008 387 26.4 14.7 74.9
2009 386 26.1 14.8 72.8
2010 392 25.1 15.6 76.3
2011 392 25.9 15.1 77.3
2012 370 23.2 15.9 79.7
2013 361 23.5 15.3 78.7
2014 333 18.2 18.2 80.8
2015 347 22.0 15.7 76.9
2016 315 18.0 17.5 75.6
2017 294 17.8 16.4 75.2
2018 277 19.8 13.9 74.4
2019 274 18.4 14.8 75.9
2020 274 20.9 13.0 82.1
2021 280 20.3 13.7 98.9
2022 297 22.3 13.2 99
2023 278 21.9 12.6 98.9

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 Perry Central High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1990 548 33.5 16.3 n/a
1991 420 24.2 17.3 n/a
1992 453 24.4 18.5 64.2
1993 461 21.9 21.1 64.4
1994 445 22.4 19.9 64.7
1995 458 26.9 17.0 60.9
1996 458 26.9 17.0 60.9
1997 431 24.6 17.5 62.4
1998 404 25.6 15.8 65.1
1999 370 23.0 16.1 74.1
2000 372 24.5 15.2 76.9
2001 340 21.3 16.0 76.2
2002 339 23.1 14.7 76.1
2003 339 23.1 14.7 76.1
2004 322 21.5 15.0 73.9
2005 342 21.7 15.8 70.8
2006 364 23.3 15.6 70.3
2007 384 25.5 15.1 77.1
2008 387 26.4 14.7 74.9
2009 386 26.1 14.8 72.8
2010 392 25.1 15.6 76.3
2011 392 25.9 15.1 77.3
2012 370 23.2 15.9 79.7
2013 361 23.5 15.3 78.7
2014 333 18.2 18.2 80.8
2015 347 22.0 15.7 76.9
2016 315 18.0 17.5 75.6
2017 294 17.8 16.4 75.2
2018 277 19.8 13.9 74.4
2019 274 18.4 14.8 75.9
2020 274 20.9 13.0 82.1
2021 280 20.3 13.7 98.9
2022 297 22.3 13.2 99
2023 278 21.9 12.6 98.9

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 Perry Central High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,818 (11.8%) $13,545 (88.2%) $15,364

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Perry Central 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 183rd of 233 High schoolsRanks 168th of 226 High schools
 4.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
End of Course Algebra I (Perry Central High School)30.255.1
 24.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (Perry County School District)30.255.1
 24.9%
   End of Course Algebra I (Mississippi)49.365.8
 16.5%
End of Course English II (Perry Central High School)41.831.1
 10.7%
   End of Course English II (Perry County School District)41.831.1
 10.7%
   End of Course English II (Mississippi)43.950.1
 6.2%
End of Course Biology (Perry Central High School)27.949.3
 21.4%
   End of Course Biology (Perry County School District)27.949.3
 21.4%
   End of Course Biology (Mississippi)57.260.9
 3.7%
End of Course U.S. History1 (Perry Central High School)47.561.5
 14%
   End of Course U.S. History1 (Perry County School District)47.561.5
 14%
   End of Course U.S. History1 (Mississippi)55.571.4
 15.9%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students274278
 1.5%
African American8182
 1.2%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic64
 33.3%
Pacific Islander00
White187183
 2.1%
Two or More Races09
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients75.9%98.9%
 23%


Schools Near Perry Central High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Perry Central High School

Perry Central High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Runnelstown Elementary School
Elementary : South Perry Elementary School
Middle : Perry Central Middle School

Perry Central High School ranks 162nd of 228 Mississippi high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Students at Perry Central High School are 66% White, 29% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% Hispanic.

In the 2022-23 school year, 278 students attended Perry Central 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.





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