Best Schools in Petal, Mississippi
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Petal?
Use this page to compare every school in Petal by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Petal High School
High · Petal School Dist. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Petal Upper Elementary School
Middle · Petal School Dist. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Petal Elementary
Elementary · Petal School Dist. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Petal for 2026 are Petal High School (7.8/10), Petal Upper Elementary School (7.0/10), and Petal Elementary (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$166,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$166,300
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +9.5 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Petal schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Petal
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 rated schools; 8 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petal High School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Petal Upper Elementary School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Petal Elementary | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Runnelstown Elementary School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 5 | Petal Middle School | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $73,785
- Median home value
- $166,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 25%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Petal compares
Mississippi rank
#45 of 124
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Mississippi avg (6.3)
Median household income
$74k
141% of Mississippi median
Schools in this city
8
Petal School Dist runs 83% of Petal's public schools
Petal touches 2 districts, but Petal School Dist is the one most addresses actually attend.
Petal School Dist accounts for 5 of 6 public schools (83%). The other 1 district holds the remaining 1.
Among 5 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 5.1 to 7.8 — the spread is inside Petal, not a citywide average.
- Petal School Dist5 public · 83%
- Perry Co School Dist1 public · 17%
About Schools in Petal, Mississippi
Petal, Mississippi is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.6 out of 10, schools in Petal show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Petal is Petal High School with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Petal is served by 2 school districts: PETAL SCHOOL DIST, PERRY CO SCHOOL DIST. These districts collectively serve 5,292 students.
Petal's community shows 25% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $73,785. The poverty rate in the area is 11.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,089 students · Pre-K–2nd | 7.5 | ||
| 2 | 631 students · 3rd–4th | 6.2 | ||
| 3 | 200 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.1 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Dynamic Dyslexia DesignPrivate 161 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Main Street StationPrivate 48 students · Kindergarten–6th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 665 students · 5th–6th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 680 students · 7th–8th | 5.1 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,335 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
Schools in Petal
Petal, Mississippi · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$73,785
Median Home Value
$166,300
Median Rent
$921/mo
Population
23,122
College Educated
25%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Community Profile
Petal has a median household income of $73,785. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,300, with a median rent of $921/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Mississippi
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
Other Major Cities in Mississippi
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Petal, Mississippi
How many schools are in Petal, Mississippi?
Petal has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Petal, Mississippi?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Petal is 6.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Petal, Mississippi?
The top-ranked school in Petal on MySchoolScout is Petal High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Petal, Mississippi?
The top-ranked elementary school in Petal on MySchoolScout is Petal Elementary with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Petal, Mississippi?
The top-ranked middle school in Petal on MySchoolScout is Petal Upper Elementary School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Petal, Mississippi?
The top-ranked high school in Petal on MySchoolScout is Petal High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Petal, Mississippi?
Petal is served by 2 school districts: Petal School Dist, Perry Co School Dist.
What is the education level in Petal, Mississippi?
According to Census data, 25% of adults in Petal have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Petal, Mississippi?
The median household income in Petal is approximately $73,785 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Petal, Mississippi?
Yes, Petal has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Dynamic Dyslexia Design with a score of 7.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Petal, Mississippi?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Petal is 12.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Petal, Mississippi?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Mississippi Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.