Gulfport School District

About Gulfport School District

Gulfport is the second largest city in the state with a population of 69,220 (2011). We are located along 26 miles of sand beaches beside the Gulf of Mexico, equidistant between New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama and serves as the home of the largest port in the state. The city is serviced by the Interstate highway system, state highways leading north, east and west, rail service by Amtrak and jet service by an international airport. Our nickname is “The Playground of the South” because we are a premier resort destination with year round golfing, fresh and saltwater fishing, boating, and gaming which make the area one of the most livable cities in the south.

From time to time I have the privilege to tell people about the Gulfport School District. The Gulfport School District has had a tremendous succession of outstanding years, allowing us as professionals to concentrate on our students and their educational programs. As a school community, we have suffered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, but I am proud to say that our attention has not shifted away from student achievement. I am impressed with the community-wide respect that we are afforded as educators. Taxpayers support us, parents encourage us, and the students, by and large, come to school daily, ready and eager to learn. In truth, our jobs are made easier by the absence of distractions and the respect this community holds for its scholars and learning in general.

The Gulfport School District is successful because the teachers, administrators, and support staff have collectively agreed to roll up their sleeves and go about their work in a serious and professional manner. As a result, the majority of our students are challenged across a broad spectrum of classes and well-planned extracurricular activities. This is made possible because of the staff’s collective work ethic and a belief that our students are capable – physically, emotionally, and intellectually – of achievement levels much higher than might be expected elsewhere. As a district, we push children academically, we expect them to behave properly, and we are willing to invest of ourselves in helping them to understand everything from the basic rules of grammar to the complexities of human rights.

As the Gulfport School District works through another year of providing a superior educational experience, I invite you to become a part of our educational community. I take this opportunity to thank you for visiting our website, and if you are a family looking for a good educational destination; come and join us. With your help and support, we will continue to make the world a better place for everyone.

-Glen V. East, Superintendent