Rankin County School District is the third largest district in Mississippi, serving grades kindergarten through twelve with a 2008-2009 student population of approximately 18,200. The district consists of 27 schools in its eight attendance zones: Brandon, Florence, McLaurin, Northwest Rankin, Pelahatchie, Pisgah, Puckett and Richland.

Academic standards are high in the Rankin County School District. Students consistently score above state levels on standardized tests, including the American College Test (ACT). RCSD students had a 20.1 average on the ACT in 2008. This compared to the state average of 18.9. According to the most recent rating system all RCSD schools were classified as “Superior,” “Successful,” or “Exemplary” under Mississippi legislation standards. The hard work and dedication from administration, teachers and students paid off and everyone is extremely proud of these great accomplishments.

Pearl Public School District is a separate school district in a community of 22,000 people. Pearl citizens and the school district work together to create a culture of excellence where each student becomes a life-long learner, achieves individual goals, and positively impacts a global society.
With a staff of approximately 550, Pearl Public School District takes pride in its efforts to provide a superior level of education to a diverse population of approximately 3,800 students. Commendable accountability by Mississippi Department of Education speak to the commitment of staff, students, parents and citizens. Two of the district's schools, Northside Elementary School and Pearl High School, have been recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools by the United States Department of Education. Approximately 20 percent of the certified staff is National Board Certified.

Believing that education is an investment in the future of the community, Pearl citizens have supported bond issues to continually upgrade facilities with new buildings and appropriate renovations.

Presently, Pearl Public School District has five schools:

-Pearl Lower Elementary School (Grades Kindergarten-1)
-Northside Elementary School (Grades 2-3)
-Pearl Upper School (Grades 4-5)
-Pearl Junior High School (Grades 6-8)
-Pearl High School (Grades 9-12)

Pearl Public School District strives to support every learner's needs, talents and interests through its academic curriculum, fine arts curriculum, special services department and extra-curricular program. Throughout its history, Pearl's academic and extracurricular programs have received numerous accolades. One of its finest was receiving the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2005.

All facets of the schools in Rankin County demonstrate a commitment to continuously improving services to students. The Board of Education, administration, teachers, support staff, students and community take pride in working together to promote the tradition of excellence in education that has become expected practice in our schools of Rankin County.