- Enrollment
- 1,253
- Students per teacher
- 13.8:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Meridian, MS
T J Harris Elementary
Federal NCES profile for T J Harris Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 50/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 280291000917
👥 S:T ratio 50
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 78
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
T J Harris Elementary earns 50/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Mississippi median.
- #2 of 10
- schools in Meridian · Resource Index
- 50
- Resource Index · Higher
- 12.4:1
- students per teacher
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
T J Harris Elementary has class sizes near the Mississippi median. Computed live against every Mississippi school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, T J Harris Elementary ranks #2 of 10 schools in Meridian, MS.
School address
District: Meridian Public Schools · Mississippi
NCES ID 280291000917 Verify on NCES CCD record →
NCES CCD campus card
434 on latest CCD 280291000917 · Meridian, MS Other · SMALL · TRAD
434 enr · 12.4:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 50
Nearest enrollment peer: Meridian High School (1,253 students)
Resource Investment Index #2 of 10 schools in Meridian. NCES Common Core of Data stamps for this campus. Read with this school → · District book → · Mississippi schools → · Find another →
T J Harris Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Meridian High
Meridian High School
1,253 students
- Northwest Juni 484
Northwest Junior High School
484 students
- Magnolia Middl 440
Magnolia Middle School
440 students
- This school 434
T J Harris Elementary
434 students
- West Hills Ele 423
West Hills Elementary School
423 students
- Poplar Springs 405
Poplar Springs Elementary School
405 students
What this shows T J Harris Elementary reports 434 students on the CCD universe file.
How T J Harris Elementary compares
T J Harris Elementary vs Mississippi and U.S. means on staffing and lunch eligibility.
| Metric | This school | vs Mississippi | Mississippi avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 12.4:1 | ▼ 7% | 13.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 24% | 80.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 434 | top 46% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
12.4:1
Leaner classes than 72% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
434
Bigger than 53% 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
12.4:1
students per teacher
- 7% below state mean
Top 37% in Mississippi - lower ratio than 63% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
51.2%
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
$14,308
per pupil, district-wide
- above Mississippi avg of $13,683
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors4.0 FTE
Per 109 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
26
in-school suspensions + 29 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 6.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 12.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Meridian Public Schools reports $14,308 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How T J Harris Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Northwest Junior High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Magnolia Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| West Hills Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Poplar Springs Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to T J Harris Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 484
- Students per teacher
- 12.7:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 440
- Students per teacher
- 12.9:1
- Resource Index
- 49/100
- Enrollment
- 423
- Students per teacher
- 15.7:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 405
- Students per teacher
- 14.5:1
- Resource Index
- 58/100
Similar other schools in Meridian
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
West Lauderdale Elementary School
Standard public school
761 students 15.9:1 students per teacher
Northeast Lauderdale Elementary
Standard public school
730 students 11.6:1 students per teacher
Southeast Lauderdale Elementary
Standard public school
562 students 15.6:1 students per teacher
Clarkdale Elementary School
Standard public school
527 students 12.9:1 students per teacher
West Hills Elementary School
Standard public school
423 students 15.7:1 students per teacher
Clarkdale High School
Standard public school
422 students 12.1:1 students per teacher
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 (~434 students)
Frequently asked questions about T J Harris Elementary
How many students attend T J Harris Elementary?
T J Harris Elementary has 434 students enrolled. It is a public school in Meridian, MS.
What is the student-teacher ratio at T J Harris Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at T J Harris Elementary is 12.4:1, which is 7% lower than the Mississippi average of 13.3:1 and 21% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at T J Harris Elementary?
100.0% of students at T J Harris Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Mississippi average of 80.5%.
What is the Resource Investment Index for T J Harris Elementary?
T J Harris Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 50/100 (higher 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 T J Harris Elementary rank among schools in Meridian?
By Resource Investment Index, T J Harris Elementary ranks #2 of 10 schools in Meridian, MS. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Meridian on the city page.
What other schools are in Meridian Public Schools?
Besides T J Harris Elementary, Meridian Public Schools also operates Meridian High School (1,253 students), Northwest Junior High School (484 students), and Magnolia Middle School (440 students). See the Meridian Public Schools district page for the complete list.