Skip to main content

Excellent

#107 of 863 schools in MS

Top 12% in state

Petal Upper Elementary School

Middle School · PETAL SCHOOL DIST

400 HILLCREST LOOP, Petal, MS 39465

Enrollment

665

Student-Teacher

14.1:1

Score

8.2

Grades

5th – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Mississippi schools

#107 of 863

In Petal

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 5

PETAL SCHOOL DIST

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Petal Upper Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Petal Upper Elementary School

8.2/10

Middle School in Petal · grades 5th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Petal Middle School

7.1/10

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

Main Street Station

5.7/10

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

About Petal Upper Elementary School

Petal Upper Elementary School is a public middle school in Petal, MS, part of PETAL SCHOOL DIST. Petal Upper Elementary School serves approximately 665 students, and covers grades 5th-6th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Petal Upper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #107 of 863 schools in MS.

Structured state assessment records for Petal Upper Elementary School show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • MS avg 6.0

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change-0.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71% (2025 MAAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency69% (2025 MAAP)
Math vs. State Avg+22.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+13.1 pts
Overall Proficiency70% (2025 MAAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2025 MAAP)
vs. Expected+8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,258
Chronic Absenteeism17.4%

Petal Upper Elementary School — Students at Petal Upper Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MS MAAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
50.6% (2025 MAAP)
ELA Proficiency 62.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.2% (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
77%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2012
Math
71%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
60%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
51%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
56%
2016
Math
68%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
69%
ELA
53%
2018
Math
78%
ELA
59%
2019
Math
78%
ELA
59%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
71%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
71%
ELA
69%

* 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: 8.7/10.

How Petal Upper Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
88th percentile in MS
Academic
8.9/10
Excellent
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
6.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

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

400 HILLCREST LOOP, Petal, MS 39465

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Petal Upper Elementary School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. HATTIESBURG STEAM ACADEMY (rated 8.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Hattiesburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is PETAL MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, N R BURGER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Hattiesburg), a more accessible option. For more schools in Petal, see our Petal schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
PETAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Petal 0.8 mi 7.1
MAIN STREET STATION Petal 1.3 mi 5.7
SACRED HEART CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hattiesburg 2.1 mi 5.8
PETAL PRIMARY SCHOOL Petal 3.0 mi 7.5
ROWAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 3.2 mi 8.9
HATTIESBURG HIGH SCHOOL Hattiesburg 3.2 mi 6.6
PETAL HIGH SCHOOL Petal 3.3 mi 7.1
HATTIESBURG STEAM ACADEMY Hattiesburg 3.5 mi 8.7
N R BURGER MIDDLE SCHOOL Hattiesburg 3.6 mi 6.7
PETAL ELEMENTARY Petal 3.4 mi 8.3
HAWKINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 3.6 mi 7.9
EARL TRAVILLION ATTENDANCE CENTER Hattiesburg 4.2 mi 6.6
WOODLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 4.0 mi 8.8
GRACE CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 4.0 mi 8.1
PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hattiesburg 4.7 mi 6.2
PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hattiesburg 4.8 mi 4.3
THAMES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hattiesburg 5.0 mi 6.3
WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hattiesburg 5.6 mi
NORTH FORREST ATTENDANCE CENTER Hattiesburg 6.8 mi 8.6
NORTH FORREST HIGH SCHOOL Hattiesburg 6.8 mi 7.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
OXFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL Oxford, MS 8.2
FLORENCE MIDDLE SCHOOL Florence, MS 8.1
BILOXI UPPER ELEMENTARY Biloxi, MS 8.3
NESHOBA CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Philadelphia, MS 8.0
FIFTH STREET SCHOOL West Point, MS 7.8
SUMRALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Sumrall, MS 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Petal Upper Elementary School

What grades does Petal Upper Elementary School serve?

Petal Upper Elementary School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Petal Upper Elementary School?

Petal Upper Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 665 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Petal Upper Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Petal Upper Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Petal Upper Elementary School rank in MS?

Petal Upper Elementary School ranks #107 of 863 schools in MS.

What is Petal Upper Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Petal Upper Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Petal Upper Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Petal Upper Elementary School has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Petal Upper Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Petal Upper Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

57.9% of students at Petal Upper Elementary 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
47
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Forrest County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
17.4%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.