Needs Improvement
#822 of 863 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
3.4
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
3.4
Grades
5th – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Mississippi schools
#822 of 863
In Laurel
#10 of 11
public schools
In district
#4 of 5
LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Laurel Upper Elementary
Middle School in Laurel · grades 5th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Laurel Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Oak Park Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Laurel Upper Elementary
Laurel Upper Elementary is a public middle school in Laurel, MS, part of LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT. Laurel Upper Elementary serves approximately 286 students, and covers grades 5th-6th, and has a 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Laurel Upper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #822 of 863 schools in MS.
Structured state assessment records for Laurel Upper Elementary show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
- This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 3.0
- MS avg 6.0
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Laurel Upper Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Laurel Upper Elementary — Students at Laurel Upper Elementary score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)
Based on 29 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: 3.0/10.
How Laurel Upper Elementary Compares
See how Laurel Upper Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 5.9/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Heidelberg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAUREL MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 2.6/10, 0.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 2.6 |
| OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel | 0.7 mi | 3.8 |
| ST JOHNS DAY SCHOOL Laurel | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| LAUREL HIGH SCHOOL Laurel | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| LAUREL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Laurel | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| LAUREL MAGNET SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Laurel | 1.9 mi | 9.5 |
| GLADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| WEST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel | 5.2 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 | 5.4 mi | 6.4 |
| NORTHEAST JONES HIGH SCHOOL Laurel | 5.7 mi | 6.0 |
| EAST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel | 5.9 mi | 7.2 |
| STRINGER ATTENDANCE CENTER Stringer | 14.9 mi | 7.3 |
| MOSELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Moselle | 15.2 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 |
|---|---|
| O.M. MCNAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Belzoni, MS | 3.3 |
| CHARLESTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Charleston, MS | 3.1 |
| PEEPLES MIDDLE SCHOOL Jackson, MS | 3.7 |
| WILLIAM WINANS MIDDLE SCHOOL Centreville, MS | 3.7 |
| MAGEE MIDDLE SCHOOL Magee, MS | 3.8 |
| NETTLETON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Nettleton, MS | 3.0 |
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 ranks #822 of 863 schools in MS.
What is Laurel Upper Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Laurel Upper Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 Upper Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Laurel Upper Elementary has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2010-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.6%
- Phone
- (601) 428-8573
Resources & Links
District
LAUREL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 2,648
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,215
- District Rank
- #4 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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