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Needs Improvement

#851 of 863 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

2.6

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#851 of 863

In Laurel

#11 of 11

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Laurel Middle School

2.6/10

Middle School in Laurel · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Laurel Upper Elementary

3.4/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oak Park Elementary School

3.8/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Laurel Middle School

Laurel Middle School is a public middle school in Laurel, MS, part of LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Laurel Middle School serves approximately 380 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Laurel Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #851 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Laurel Middle School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 3.0
  • MS avg 6.0

What Parents Should Know

73% of students at Laurel Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-2.08 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.1% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg-35.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.2 pts
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected-18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
Resources & Environment1.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,215
Chronic Absenteeism72.6%

Laurel Middle School — Students at Laurel Middle School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

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 (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.8% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 27.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
39.5% (2025 MAAP)

Based on 33 test records from MS state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
35%
ELA
39%
2010
Math
45%
ELA
41%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
45%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
56%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
13%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
16%
2016
Math
19%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
21%
ELA
20%
2018
Math
23%
ELA
16%
2019
Math
23%
ELA
16%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
20%
ELA
23.1%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Laurel Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.6/10
2th percentile in MS
Academic
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
1.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
72.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 5.9/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Heidelberg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAUREL UPPER ELEMENTARY (rated 3.4/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 3.4
OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 0.8 mi 3.8
ST JOHNS DAY SCHOOL Laurel 1.4 mi 6.7
LAUREL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Laurel 1.7 mi 7.4
LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL Laurel 1.7 mi 4.9
LAUREL MAGNET SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Laurel 1.9 mi 9.5
GLADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 3.1 mi 7.6
WEST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel 5.1 mi 6.0
SOUTH JONES HIGH SCHOOL Ellisville 5.7 mi 6.0
NORTH JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 6.1 mi 5.3
SOUTH JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ellisville 5.8 mi 6.8
WEST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 5.3 mi 6.4
NORTHEAST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel 5.8 mi 6.0
EAST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel 6.0 mi 7.2
STRINGER ATTENDANCE CENTER Stringer 14.8 mi 7.3
MOSELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moselle 15.1 mi 7.6
HEIDELBERG HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg 17.5 mi 7.9
HEIDELBERG JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Heidelberg 17.5 mi 5.9
WILLIAM J BERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Heidelberg 18.9 mi 7.3
RUNNELSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petal 21.1 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
POWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS 2.8
DENMAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mccomb, MS 2.9
BETTIE E WOOLFOLK MIDDLE SCHOOL Yazoo City, MS 2.2
BLACKBURN MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS 3.0
NETTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nettleton, MS 3.0
O.M. MCNAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Belzoni, MS 3.3

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 ranks #851 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Laurel Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Laurel Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Laurel Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Laurel Middle School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 27% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
72.6%

District

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

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