For the 2025 school year, there are 6 public preschools serving 3,035 students in Pearl River County, MS.
The top ranked public preschools in Pearl River County, MS are West Hancock Elementary School and Pearl River Central Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Pearl River County, MS public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Mississippi public pre school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 50% (versus the 43% statewide average). Pre schools in Pearl River County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of Mississippi public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public preschool average of 55% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Pearl River County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
West Hancock Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
23350 Highway 43
Picayune, MS 39466
(228) 586-6054
Picayune, MS 39466
(228) 586-6054
Grades: PK-5
| 363 students
Rank: #22.
Pearl River Central Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
116 Alphabet Ave
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Grades: PK-5
| 1,491 students
Rank: n/an/a
1865 Hwy 11 South
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-7808
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 798-7808
Grades: PK
| 196 students
Rank: n/an/a
1620 Rosa Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-4702
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-4702
Grades: PK
| 151 students
Rank: n/an/a
804 South Julia Street Suite A
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-4736
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-4736
Grades: PK-2
| 494 students
Rank: n/an/a
400 South Beech Street
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0683
Picayune, MS 39466
(601) 799-0683
Grades: PK-2
| 340 students
Pearl River County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
116 Alphabet Ave.
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Carriere, MS 39426
(601) 799-4519
Grades: K-2
| 711 students
Poplarville Alternative School (Closed 2012)
Alternative School
1 Hornet St
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8477
Poplarville, MS 39470
(601) 795-8477
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Pearl River County, MS?
The top ranked public preschools in Pearl River County, MS include West Hancock Elementary School and Pearl River Central Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Pearl River County?
6 public preschools are located in Pearl River County.
What is the racial composition of students in Pearl River County?
Pearl River County public preschools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Mississippi public preschools average of 55% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Pearl River County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Pearl River County include: West Hancock Elementary School vs. South Side Lower Elementary School, South Side Lower Elementary School vs. West Hancock Elementary School, Poplarville Lower Elementary School vs. West Hancock Elementary School
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.