- Enrollment
- 940
- Students per teacher
- 19.2:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Picayune, MS
South Side Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Side Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 38/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 280363000699
👥 S:T ratio 38
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 43
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Side Elementary School earns 38/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 83% of Mississippi schools.
- #2 of 4
- elementary schools in Picayune · Resource Index
- 38
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.5:1
- large classes for Mississippi
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
South Side Elementary School has class sizes larger than 83% of Mississippi schools. Computed live against every Mississippi school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Side Elementary School ranks #2 of 4 elementary schools in Picayune, MS.
School address
District: Picayune School District · Mississippi
NCES ID 280363000699 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+15 students YoY
South Side Elementary School grew from 298 students in 2022-23 to 313 in 2023-24 (+5.0%).
Teacher FTE lost 20.1 → 18.2 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+15 students YoY 280363000699 · Picayune, MS Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
310 enr · 15.5:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 38
Nearest enrollment peer: Picayune Memorial High School (940 students)
South Side Elementary School grew from 298 students in 2022-23 to 313 in 2023-24 (+5.0%). Teacher FTE lost 20.1 → 18.2 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Mississippi schools → · Find another →
South Side Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Picayune Memor
Picayune Memorial High School
940 students
- Picayune Junio
Picayune Junior High School
465 students
- West Side Elem
West Side Elementary School
444 students
- Roseland Park 370
Roseland Park Elementary School
370 students
- Nicholson Elem 324
Nicholson Elementary School
324 students
- This school 310
South Side Elementary School
310 students
What this shows South Side Elementary School reports 310 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Side Elementary School compares
South Side Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Mississippi and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Mississippi | Mississippi avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.5:1 | ▲ 17% | 13.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 24% | 80.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 310 | top 72% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.5:1
Leaner classes than 42% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
310
Bigger than 34% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
100.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 24% above the Mississippi average of 80.5%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.5:1
students per teacher
- 17% above state mean
Top 83% in Mississippi - lower ratio than 17% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
22.9%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$12,883
per pupil, district-wide
- below Mississippi avg of $13,683
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.3 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
29
in-school suspensions + 53 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 9.4 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 26.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 59.7%
African American 31.3%
Hispanic or Latino 5.5%
Two or More 2.9%
Asian 0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%
Largest group: White at 59.7% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 54.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 54.2, South Side Elementary School is more mixed than the Mississippi school average of 41.1.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Picayune School District reports $12,883 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Side Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picayune Memorial High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Picayune Junior High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| West Side Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Roseland Park Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Nicholson Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Side Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 465
- Students per teacher
- 15.5:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
- Enrollment
- 444
- Students per teacher
- 16.4:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 370
- Students per teacher
- 16.1:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 324
- Students per teacher
- 11.6:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
Similar elementary schools in Picayune
3 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~310 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Side Elementary School
How many students attend South Side Elementary School?
South Side Elementary School has 310 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Picayune, MS. CCD year-over-year: 298 (2022-23) → 313 (2023-24), up 15.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Side Elementary School is 15.5:1, which is 17% higher than the Mississippi average of 13.3:1 and 1% lower than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Side Elementary School?
100.0% of students at South Side Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Mississippi average of 80.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Side Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Side Elementary School is White at 59.7% of enrollment, in Picayune, MS. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 54.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Side Elementary School?
South Side Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 38/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Side Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Picayune?
By Resource Investment Index, South Side Elementary School ranks #2 of 4 elementary schools in Picayune, MS. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Picayune on the city page.
What other schools are in Picayune School District?
Besides South Side Elementary School, Picayune School District also operates Picayune Memorial High School (940 students), Picayune Junior High School (465 students), and West Side Elementary School (444 students). See the Picayune School District district page for the complete list.