• Category 3

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: k - 1
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 27,115
    Student Enrollment: 662
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 39%
    White/Caucasian: 49%
    Hispanic: 11%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 66%
    % ELL Learners: 8%
    Founded: 1976
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Dr. Laurin Bailey
  • CONTACT:
    160 Mary Ann Drive
    Pearl, MS 39208
    601-932-7976
    lbailey@pearlk12.com
Pearl Lower Elementary School
Pearl, MS
"We highlight the great things happening with our students, teachers, and staff members."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Pearl Lower Elementary is located in Pearl, MS and is a part of Pearl Public School District. We are a kindergarten and first grade campus serving 662 students. We have been rated as an A school by the Mississippi Department of Education since 2019. Pearl Lower has also been ranked in the top 20 elementary schools for MKAS performance on the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment for the past eight years.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Being a K-1 building where the educational foundation is laid, an emphasis was put on phonics instruction as well as sight words, an intervention program for our struggling readers, and a large focus on small group center instruction. In addition, we shifted our behavioral focus to incorporate a positive focused model that encourages to work to “clip up” and encourages to promote positive behavior.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has supported a partnership with Bailey Education Group to practice academic skills and objectives with our EL students. In addition, funding to support the salary of our EL teacher, an interventionist, and an interventionist assistant. As well as interactive materials and equipment to support learning objectives. Funding also provided opportunities for partnerships with families and community members.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Professional development to strengthen the instruction of our EL program, Phonics First training, and professional development for our current reading program.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
We shifted our mindset as a school to expect success and always look for the positive in any situation. We provided incentives for both teachers and students. We placed an emphasis on highlighting the great things happening with our students, teachers, and staff members.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?

We have many community groups that have given tirelessly of their time and donations in some form or fashion. Through these partnerships, we have seen a great impact on our teachers and students. We are partners with our school PTSO, local churches, our local Junior Auxiliary, Rack Room Shoes, Keesler Federal Credit Union, Raising Canes, and the Pearson Foundation. Each of our community partners brings another level of support whether they are donating backpacks and school supplies, food for our weekend backpack program, new shoes for students, after school tutorial services, or incentives for our teachers and students that promote positivity and success!
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: k - 1
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 27,115
    Student Enrollment: 662
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 39%
    White/Caucasian: 49%
    Hispanic: 11%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 66%
    % ELL Learners: 8%
    Founded: 1976
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Dr. Laurin Bailey
  • CONTACT:
    160 Mary Ann Drive
    Pearl, MS 39208
    601-932-7976
    lbailey@pearlk12.com