Needs Improvement
#845 of 862 schools in MS
Laurel Upper Elementary
Middle School · LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT
600 South 16th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
3.3
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
3.3
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laurel
#8 of 8
public schools
Mississippi middle schools
#177 of 183
In district
#5 of 5
LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Laurel Upper Elementary
Laurel Upper Elementary, located in Laurel, Mississippi, is a regular public school serving students in Grades 5 through 6. With an enrollment of 286 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, the school provides personalized attention to each learner. The dedicated staff consists of 23 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' growth.
Academically, Laurel Upper Elementary has room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of 846 out of 865 schools in Mississippi. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 18%, while the Math proficiency rate is 14%. Despite these challenges, the school remains committed to fostering an environment where every student can develop their skills and reach their full potential.
Laurel Upper Elementary is situated in a town setting, providing students with a close-knit community feel. The school's proximity to local resources and support networks helps create a nurturing educational atmosphere for its young scholars.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Laurel Upper Elementary — Students at Laurel Upper Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from MS state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.6/10.
How Laurel Upper Elementary Compares
See how Laurel Upper Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 16% (2022).
Location
600 South 16th Avenue, Laurel, MS 39440
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Laurel Upper Elementary 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 MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Laurel, see our Laurel schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAUREL MIDDLE SCHOOL Laurel | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| ST JOHNS DAY SCHOOL Laurel | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL Laurel | 1.7 mi | 4.6 |
| LAUREL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Laurel | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| LAUREL MAGNET SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Laurel | 1.9 mi | 8.7 |
| GLADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel | 3.0 mi | 4.7 |
| WEST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel | 5.2 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 | 5.4 mi | 5.4 |
| NORTHEAST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| EAST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel | 5.9 mi | 6.6 |
| STRINGER ATTENDANCE CENTER Stringer | 14.9 mi | 5.8 |
| MOSELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moselle | 15.2 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 Upper Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| NETTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nettleton, MS | 3.4 |
| CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charleston, MS | 3.5 |
| W.A. HIGGINS MIDDLE SCHOOL ACADEMY Clarksdale, MS | 3.8 |
| NORTH PANOLA MIDDLE SCHOOL Como, MS | 4.0 |
| COLEMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Greenville, MS | 4.1 |
| FRANKLIN UPPER ELEMENTARY Meadville, MS | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Laurel Upper Elementary
What grades does Laurel Upper Elementary serve?
Laurel Upper Elementary serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Laurel Upper Elementary?
Laurel Upper Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Laurel Upper Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Laurel Upper Elementary is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Laurel Upper Elementary rank in MS?
Laurel Upper Elementary is ranked #845 out of 862 schools in MS.
What is Laurel Upper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Laurel Upper Elementary has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Upper Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Laurel Upper Elementary has 13.7% math proficiency and 18.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Laurel Upper Elementary a charter school?
No, Laurel Upper Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Laurel Upper Elementary a Title I school?
No, Laurel Upper Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Laurel Upper Elementary?
100.0% of students at Laurel Upper Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
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
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 286
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Jones County
- Phone
- (601) 428-8573
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 2,648
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,215
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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.
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