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Average

#391 of 862 schools in MS

Top 45% in state

Based on limited data

Petal Primary School

Elementary School · PETAL SCHOOL DIST

60 Herrington Road, Petal, MS 39465

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MS statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

1,089

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Petal

#1 of 2

public schools

Mississippi elementary schools

#188 of 436

In district

#1 of 5

PETAL SCHOOL DIST

About Petal Primary School

Petal Primary School serves 1,089 students in pre-kindergarten through second grade in the Forrest County community of Petal, Mississippi. With 90 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.1 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #298 out of 865 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 66th percentile among Mississippi schools.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to providing a strong educational foundation for young learners as they begin their academic journey. Petal Primary draws families from a stable community where the median household income reaches $67,971 and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 12.8%. The area's median home value of $156,100 reflects an affordable housing market, while 25% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

These community characteristics suggest families who value education and are invested in their children's academic success. Located on Herrington Road, Petal Primary School sits in a rural setting near the town of Petal, offering students a close-knit educational environment where teachers can focus on building essential reading, writing, and mathematical skills that will serve as the foundation for future learning.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Petal Primary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on MS state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.6Above Average51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,778

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Petal Primary School Compares

See how Petal Primary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in MS
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
90 teachers

Location

60 Herrington Road, Petal, MS 39465

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Petal Primary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ROWAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Hattiesburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is RUNNELSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTH FORREST ATTENDANCE CENTER (rated 8.6/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Hattiesburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Petal, see our Petal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
PETAL HIGH SCHOOL Petal 0.5 mi 6.0
PETAL ELEMENTARY Petal 0.6 mi 6.0
MAIN STREET STATION Petal 2.2 mi 5.7
PETAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Petal 2.9 mi 6.4
PETAL UPPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petal 3.0 mi 5.9
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hattiesburg 5.1 mi 5.8
EARL TRAVILLION ATTENDANCE CENTER Hattiesburg 6.3 mi 6.1
ROWAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 6.1 mi 9.0
RUNNELSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Petal 6.0 mi 8.8
HATTIESBURG HIGH SCHOOL Hattiesburg 6.1 mi 7.6
HATTIESBURG STEAM ACADEMY Hattiesburg 6.4 mi 8.1
N R BURGER MIDDLE SCHOOL Hattiesburg 6.5 mi 7.3
HAWKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 6.6 mi 8.2
GRACE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 6.8 mi 8.4
WOODLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 6.9 mi 8.3
PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hattiesburg 7.6 mi 6.2
PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hattiesburg 7.7 mi 4.3
NORTH FORREST ATTENDANCE CENTER Hattiesburg 7.9 mi 8.6
NORTH FORREST HIGH SCHOOL Hattiesburg 8.0 mi 7.5
THAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 8.0 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 39465 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$73,785

Median Home Value

$166,300

Median Rent

$921/mo

Population

23,122

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

11.9%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Petal Primary School 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.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
NORTH WOOLMARKET ELEMENTARY AND MID Biloxi, MS 6.5
BATESVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Batesville, MS 6.6
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lucedale, MS 6.4
EAST JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Laurel, MS 6.6
NEW ALBANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Albany, MS 6.6
SUDDUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Starkville, MS 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Petal Primary School

What grades does Petal Primary School serve?

Petal Primary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Petal Primary School?

Petal Primary School has an enrollment of approximately 1,089 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Petal Primary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Petal Primary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Petal Primary School rank in MS?

Petal Primary School is ranked #391 out of 862 schools in MS.

What is Petal Primary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Petal Primary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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.

Is Petal Primary School a charter school?

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

Is Petal Primary School a Title I school?

No, Petal Primary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Petal Primary School?

65.2% of students at Petal Primary 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (522/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
1,089
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
90
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Forrest County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PETAL SCHOOL DIST
District Enrollment
4,400
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,258
District Rank
#1 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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