- Enrollment
- 940
- Students per teacher
- 19.2:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Picayune, MS
South Side Lower Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Side Lower Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 36/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 280363000632
👥 S:T ratio 36
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 42
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Side Lower Elementary School earns 36/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 88% of Mississippi schools.
- #4 of 4
- schools in Picayune · Resource Index
- 36
- Resource Index · Typical
- 16:1
- large classes for Mississippi
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
South Side Lower Elementary School has class sizes larger than 88% of Mississippi schools. Computed live against every Mississippi school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Side Lower Elementary School ranks #4 of 4 schools in Picayune, MS.
School address
District: Picayune School District · Mississippi
NCES ID 280363000632 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+5 students YoY
South Side Lower Elementary School held near 340 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+5 headcount).
Teacher FTE added 20.8 → 21.6 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+5 students YoY 280363000632 · Picayune, MS Other · SMALL · TRAD
320 enr · 16:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 36
Nearest enrollment peer: Picayune Memorial High School (940 students)
South Side Lower Elementary School held near 340 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+5 headcount). Teacher FTE added 20.8 → 21.6 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Mississippi schools → · Find another →
South Side Lower 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 320
South Side Lower Elementary School
320 students
What this shows South Side Lower Elementary School reports 320 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Side Lower Elementary School compares
South Side Lower Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Mississippi and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Mississippi | Mississippi avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 16:1 | ▲ 20% | 13.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 24% | 80.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 320 | top 70% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
16:1
Leaner classes than 38% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
320
Bigger than 35% 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
16:1
students per teacher
- 20% above state mean
Top 88% in Mississippi - lower ratio than 12% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
23.1%
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
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
7
in-school suspensions + 11 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 2.2 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 5.6 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 57.5%
African American 31.6%
Hispanic or Latino 7.2%
Two or More 3.8%
Largest group: White at 57.5% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 56.3/100
Simpson diversity index - at 56.3, South Side Lower Elementary School is more mixed than the Mississippi school average of 41.1.
Programs
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 Lower 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 Lower 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 other schools in Picayune
3 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Nationwide other 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 (~320 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Side Lower Elementary School
How many students attend South Side Lower Elementary School?
South Side Lower Elementary School has 320 students enrolled. It is a public school in Picayune, MS. CCD year-over-year: 335 (2022-23) → 340 (2023-24), nearly flat (+5).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Side Lower Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Side Lower Elementary School is 16:1, which is 20% higher than the Mississippi average of 13.3:1 and 2% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at South Side Lower Elementary School?
100.0% of students at South Side Lower 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 Lower Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Side Lower Elementary School is White at 57.5% of enrollment, in Picayune, MS. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 56.3/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Side Lower Elementary School?
South Side Lower Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 36/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does South Side Lower Elementary School rank among schools in Picayune?
By Resource Investment Index, South Side Lower Elementary School ranks #4 of 4 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 schools in Picayune on the city page.
What other schools are in Picayune School District?
Besides South Side Lower 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.