- Enrollment
- 1,253
- Students per teacher
- 13.8:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Meridian, MS
West Hills Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for West Hills Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 46/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 280291000575
👥 S:T ratio 37
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 58
📋 Attendance 21
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
West Hills Elementary School earns 46/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 85% of Mississippi schools.
- #4 of 10
- schools in Meridian · Resource Index
- 46
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.7:1
- large classes for Mississippi
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
West Hills Elementary School has class sizes larger than 85% of Mississippi schools. Computed live against every Mississippi school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, West Hills Elementary School ranks #4 of 10 schools in Meridian, MS.
School address
District: Meridian Public Schools · Mississippi
NCES ID 280291000575 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-50 students YoY
West Hills Elementary School shrank from 478 students in 2022-23 to 428 in 2023-24 (-10.5%).
Teacher FTE held 27.5 → 27.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-50 students YoY 280291000575 · Meridian, MS Other · SMALL · TRAD
423 enr · 15.7:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 46
Nearest enrollment peer: Meridian High School (1,253 students)
West Hills Elementary School shrank from 478 students in 2022-23 to 428 in 2023-24 (-10.5%). Teacher FTE held 27.5 → 27.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Mississippi schools → · Find another →
West Hills Elementary School 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
- T J Harris El 434
T J Harris Elementary
434 students
- This school 423
West Hills Elementary School
423 students
- Poplar Springs 405
Poplar Springs Elementary School
405 students
What this shows West Hills Elementary School reports 423 students on the CCD universe file.
How West Hills Elementary School compares
West Hills Elementary School is a shrinking 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 | 15.7:1 | ▲ 18% | 13.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 24% | 80.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 423 | top 48% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.7:1
Leaner classes than 41% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
423
Bigger than 51% 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
15.7:1
students per teacher
- 18% above state mean
Top 85% in Mississippi - lower ratio than 15% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
31.7%
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
Counselors2.0 FTE
Per 212 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
83
in-school suspensions + 43 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 19.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 29.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 91.0%
Hispanic or Latino 3.8%
Two or More 3.3%
White 0.9%
Asian 0.7%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: African American at 91.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 16.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 16.9, West Hills Elementary School is less mixed than the Mississippi school average of 41.1.
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 West Hills Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Northwest Junior High School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Magnolia Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| T J Harris Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Poplar Springs Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to West Hills Elementary School'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
- 434
- Students per teacher
- 12.4:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
- 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
T J Harris Elementary
Standard public school
434 students 12.4:1 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 (~423 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~15.7:1)
Frequently asked questions about West Hills Elementary School
How many students attend West Hills Elementary School?
West Hills Elementary School has 423 students enrolled. It is a public school in Meridian, MS. CCD year-over-year: 478 (2022-23) → 428 (2023-24), down 50.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Hills Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at West Hills Elementary School is 15.7:1, which is 18% higher than the Mississippi average of 13.3:1 and 0% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at West Hills Elementary School?
100.0% of students at West Hills Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Mississippi average of 80.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of West Hills Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at West Hills Elementary School is African American at 91.0% of enrollment, in Meridian, MS.
What is the Resource Investment Index for West Hills Elementary School?
West Hills Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 46/100 (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 West Hills Elementary School rank among schools in Meridian?
By Resource Investment Index, West Hills Elementary School ranks #4 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 West Hills Elementary School, 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.