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#722 of 862 schools in MS

Laurel Middle School

Middle School · LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT

1600 Grandview Drive, Laurel, MS 39440

Enrollment

380

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.0

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Laurel

#5 of 8

public schools

Mississippi middle schools

#147 of 183

In district

#3 of 5

LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Laurel Middle School

Laurel Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Laurel, Mississippi, in Jones County. With an enrollment of 380 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, the school has a relatively small class size that allows for more individual attention from teachers. The dedicated teaching staff includes 25 full-time equivalent educators who work to support each student's academic journey.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, Laurel Middle School has an overall rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks 746th out of 865 schools in Mississippi, placing it in the 14th percentile. In terms of academic performance, students at Laurel Middle are showing areas for improvement, with only 21% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 23% proficient or above in Math. The school is focusing on enhancing its curriculum to better serve these needs and support student development.

Laurel Middle School is situated in a town setting, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community while providing them with access to various educational resources and extracurricular activities that contribute to their overall growth.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Laurel Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+1.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics3.6Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-35.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.1 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-10.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,638

Laurel Middle School — Students at Laurel Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 22.6%
School
State
56.8%
ELA Proficiency 21.1%
School
State
41.7%

Based on 10 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
23%
ELA
16%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
27%
ELA
26.3%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.9/10.

How Laurel Middle School Compares

See how Laurel Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
16th percentile in MS
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

1600 Grandview Drive, Laurel, MS 39440

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Laurel Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HEIDELBERG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Heidelberg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAUREL UPPER ELEMENTARY (rated 3.3/10, 0.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Laurel, see our Laurel schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.1 mi
School Distance Rating
LAUREL UPPER ELEMENTARY Laurel 0.1 mi 3.3
OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 0.8 mi 6.1
ST JOHNS DAY SCHOOL Laurel 1.4 mi 6.7
LAUREL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Laurel 1.7 mi 7.3
LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL Laurel 1.7 mi 4.6
LAUREL MAGNET SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Laurel 1.9 mi 8.7
GLADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 3.1 mi 4.7
WEST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel 5.1 mi 5.1
SOUTH JONES HIGH SCHOOL Ellisville 5.7 mi 5.7
NORTH JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 6.1 mi 4.6
SOUTH JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ellisville 5.8 mi 6.1
WEST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 5.3 mi 5.4
NORTHEAST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel 5.8 mi 5.8
EAST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 6.0 mi 6.6
STRINGER ATTENDANCE CENTER Stringer 14.8 mi 5.8
MOSELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moselle 15.1 mi 7.0
HEIDELBERG HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg 17.5 mi 8.7
HEIDELBERG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg 17.5 mi 7.8
WILLIAM J BERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Heidelberg 18.9 mi 5.4
RUNNELSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petal 21.1 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39440 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,687

Median Home Value

$112,300

Median Rent

$856/mo

Population

20,111

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

57.7%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

32.1%

Median Age

33.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Laurel Middle School has a median household income of $38,687. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $112,300, with a median rent of $856/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CRYSTAL SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Crystal Springs, MS 5.0
R.H. LONG BOONEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Booneville, MS 5.0
EVA GORDON UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Magnolia, MS 4.9
IUKA MIDDLE SCHOOL Iuka, MS 4.9
LEAKE CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Carthage, MS 4.9
PEEPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Laurel Middle School

What grades does Laurel Middle School serve?

Laurel Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Laurel Middle School?

Laurel Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Middle School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Laurel Middle School rank in MS?

Laurel Middle School is ranked #722 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Laurel Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Laurel Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel Middle School has 22.6% math proficiency and 21.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Laurel Middle School a charter school?

No, Laurel Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Laurel Middle School a Title I school?

No, Laurel Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laurel Middle School?

100.0% of students at Laurel Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,917/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laurel). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Jones County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
2,648
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,215
District Rank
#3 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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