PASCAGOULA-GAUTIER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Pascagoula-Gautier School District serves 6,565 students across 19 schools in Jackson County, Mississippi's suburban areas. The district experienced a slight 0.3% enrollment decline in the prior year, suggesting relative stability in student population. With 560 teachers and a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, staffing levels align closely with state norms.

Academic performance shows mixed results relative to state averages. Math proficiency stands at 52.8%, marginally above Mississippi's 50.1% average, while reading proficiency of 49.3% substantially exceeds the state average of 43.0%. The graduation rate of 89.9% surpasses the state average of 88.0%. However, chronic absenteeism at 23.8% presents a notable attendance challenge.

The district serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, with 95.0% of students qualifying for that classification. Per-pupil spending of $14,602 exceeds the state average of $12,810, representing higher per-student resource investment.

The $95.9 million total budget relies heavily on local revenue sources, which comprise 51.4% of funding. State contributions account for 33.3%, while federal funds provide 15.3%. This funding structure indicates substantial local financial support but also potential vulnerability to local economic fluctuations. The combination of elevated spending, above-average reading proficiency, and strong graduation rates suggests these resources are generating measurable academic outcomes, though absenteeism and economic disadvantage remain significant contextual factors.